The Bangladesh Cricket Board will be seeking the International Cricket Council approval for a planned series against Pakistan in April after finding the security situation suitable for international cricket. Addressing a press conference here at the National Cricket Academy, Mustafa Kamal, president BCB and Bangladesh member parliament said that he was satisfied with the security put at place by the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Cricket Board alike and he will be writing to the ICC for their stamp of approval that they want to tour Pakistan.
“It has for the first time any cricket board will be showing keen interest for touring Pakistan,” said Kamal. He further elaborated that without the approval of the ICC they wont be able to take the Pakistan tour although they are willing to play in Pakistan for what the PCB did for Bangladesh cricket development. Speaking on the occasion, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said that the ICC has no reservation on any team’s planned visit to Pakistan and instead it wanted to see international cricket returning here.
Before the press briefing, the Bangladesh board and interior ministry officials were shown a complete security drill that would be put into place for their and any other team visiting Pakistan and surprisingly the Bangladesh security team’s visit coincided with the organization of Punjab Sports Festival 17 km Marathon and Family Fun race which was participated by around 15000 people including males, females and children of all ages where a highest level of security was given to hold the events.
The official were bought in proper security escort with two Army helicopters doing surveillance rounds in the air and later rescue operation was also displayed while the choppers were landed at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Besides the board officials, DIG Operations Punjab Sohail Khan, CCPO Ahmed Raza Tahir, DIG operations Lahore Ghulam Mahmood and secret service officials were present on the occasions.
Zaka said that the visiting brothers from Bangladesh would have been feeling at home as he had felt when he visited Bangladesh. ‘There visit has been a milestone and they would have the sense of security that would be provided to any team.
Mustafa Kamal praised the PCB’s support in the development of their cricket and their efforts of gaining ODI and test status. “Without the support of the PCB we would not be there where we are now standing in international cricket. The PCB’s unconditional support to Bangladesh in the ICC’s election worth praise and the Pakistan cricketers participation in the Bangladesh League has made the event more colourful.
“Their presence changed the complexion o the entire tournament. But now the way Pakistan cricket is suffering for the last three years I feel it’s our responsibility to bring international back to Pakistan as early as possible,” he maintained.
The Bangladesh cricket chief said that they were here to see what Pakistan have in place and get assurance about their capability of doing things.
“The body language I have seen shows that everything is well and when we go back we would plead to the ICC and ask for their clearance and now it’s the ICC to take the decision. We want to send our team to Pakistan. From our side everything is ok and writing to the ICC is a formality and maybe the ICC will be sending its team for further assessment of the situation,” he added.
He further stated that it’s the beginning o the process but it would be unfortunate if the ICC did not allow. Everything like the tour itinerary and date would be finalised once the ICC gives us green signal, he added.
