Leading Bangladeshi players and officials disinclined to tour Pakistan

Islamabad: Some leading Bangladeshi cricketers and team officials are reluctant to play in Pakistan, according to reports coming out of Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing the tough task of persuading its top players and team officials to tour Pakistan later this month to play a one-day international and a Twenty20 match. It is understood that Bangladesh coach Stuart Law and various players have expressed fears about security in the troubled nation. The BCB is also concerned about the possibility of a late pull-out by leading players. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board is keen to see a full strength Bangladesh team touring their country. “The board chairman, Zaka Ashraf, during his meeting with his counterpart, Mustafa Kamal, made it clear that Pakistan would like to host the strongest Bangladesh team,” a daily quoted a source, as saying. “Obviously if the Bangladesh team comes without top players like Shakib-ul-Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and other stars, it would weaken the touring side and reduce the competitive edge of the series,” the source added. The head of the BCB Cricket Committee, Inayat Hussain Siraj, said they would not force any player or support staff member to go to Pakistan. “Whoever wants to go to Pakistan is fine, but we will not force anyone to go on the tour,” Siraj said. Cricket fans in the Bangladesh have also opposed their team’s tour to Pakistan, and urged them to postpone it due to security concern. ANI