Pakistan call off tour of Bangladesh

E-Paper | March 06, 2026

Pakistan Cricket Board has called off their scheduled cricket tour of Bangladesh this year, Shaharyar Khan has said.

Bangladesh last toured Pakistan in 2007-08. Pakistan has since travelled to Bangladesh in 2011 and 2015 and were scheduled to play two tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 International in July and August in the South Asian country.

Khan said Bangladesh had failed to reciprocate Pakistan's visits with the Bangladesh Cricket Board turning down an invitation to play two T20 internationals in Pakistan.

"We had spoken about the possibility of hosting them (Bangladesh in Pakistan) this year," the PCB chairman told ESPNcricinfo.

He added: "Pakistan have now toured Bangladesh twice without them reciprocating, and we feel we cannot tour Bangladesh for the third straight time. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the tour, and will explore another window in the next year or so."

At least 10 gunmen fired on a bus carrying Sri Lanka's cricket team in 2009 with rifles, grenades and rockets, wounding six players and a British coach, and killing eight locals.

Since then, Pakistan has been forced to play most of its 'home' games in the United Arab Emirates.

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d.kumar.

Apr 27, 2017 01:11pm

Very sad state of affairs.

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fairy

Apr 27, 2017 01:11pm

It is a good decision. Bangladesh has repeatedly refused to come to Pakistan as if security situation in their country is any better.

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irfan uk

Apr 27, 2017 01:11pm

Pakistan should never play Bangladesh again because they have let us down at times where we needed them the most. When all the other countries start coming back to Pakistan even then Pakistan should not let Bangladesh come to play.

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tahir saleem

Apr 27, 2017 01:13pm

Pay them back in same coins, at last, a courageous decision by PCB

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Santosh

Apr 27, 2017 01:18pm

Currently,the internal security of Pakistan much better than previous years. So,every cricket playing country should travel Pakistan.

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Santosh

Apr 27, 2017 01:22pm

Very good decision. Tit for tat move by Pakistan.

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muhammad

Apr 27, 2017 01:23pm

good step ....

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only

Apr 27, 2017 01:32pm

Keep the ego aside and keep visiting other countries. This helps in maintaining softcorner frim some international bodies.

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M.Saeed

Apr 27, 2017 01:37pm

Things are now more difficult in Bangladesh than Pakistan.

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Dr. Kent B Huzen

Apr 27, 2017 01:41pm

Very wise decision by PCB for few reasons- 1) Bangladesh should visit Pakistan as a friendly gesture and hope they would not play the security card. 2) no point of taking any risk before September. 3) PCB should not down grade its position over and over.

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mandy

Apr 27, 2017 01:44pm

PCB needs to realize that with current security situation no country is going to tour them in another 100 years!!!

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MD SOHAN

Apr 27, 2017 01:46pm

Not a good decision at all.As there is security concern pakistan can play two t20 in U.A.E.But we hope two country will negotiate this matter very soon.

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Asif Kashmiri

Apr 27, 2017 01:52pm

Excellent decision

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Khawaja

Apr 27, 2017 01:56pm

Bangladesh cricket team is scared to visit Pakistan whereas lots of Bengalis are moving to Pakistan for jobs. All the new Paan khokas in Karachi are opened by them.

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Raccoon

Apr 27, 2017 02:00pm

@fairy their security situation is in fact better.

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Azam Chowdhry

Apr 27, 2017 02:01pm

Excellent decision by PCB. No more special favors for BD. They must reciprocate otherwise no tour to BD. If BD expects Pakistan to host our home series at neutral venue, then we must demand the same. Security in Pakistan is far better than the one in BD. I am proud of PCB for standing up to BD.

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Imran

Apr 27, 2017 02:01pm

Fair call. BCCI won't allow BD anyway. Got to listen Boss.

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immo

Apr 27, 2017 02:50pm

you gotta understand Bangladesh cannot upset India

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FOG

Apr 27, 2017 03:03pm

Finally a word of sanity from Shaharyar Khan but I thought he resigned.

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Apr 27, 2017 03:09pm

Why will any country visit Pakistan if their team bus is fired upon by militants?

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byju

Apr 27, 2017 03:09pm

@fairy certainly, it is much better that what it is in pakistan.

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Indian4RMBLORE

Apr 27, 2017 03:21pm

Very bad decision, when u can have ur PSL in ur country,asking a country to tour and play, Bangladesh is getting better n better, Pakistan needs Bangladesh support, this move wont help. Pakistan

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Saif ZulfiqaR

Apr 27, 2017 03:28pm

Very sensible and good decision. The joy of cricket is gone from the sub- continents due to Modi's arrogance and hate policies.

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The_Truth

Apr 27, 2017 03:40pm

Very good decision.

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For afghan

Apr 27, 2017 03:47pm

@irfan uk You are right.. but when will any other country come to play, despite hosting the world's most prestigious PSL final

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SARA

Apr 27, 2017 03:51pm

I think Pakistan should focus on becoming the best cricketing nation, which will shut the mouths of many

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FOG

Apr 27, 2017 04:02pm

@SARA root out corruption first. No get rid of Mia brothers first. No get rid of Zardaris first........................................................... Cricket is at the bottom of the bucket list.

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sane

Apr 27, 2017 04:04pm

Good decision.

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winter is coming

Apr 27, 2017 04:16pm

@Santosh agreed

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J. Niaz

Apr 27, 2017 04:30pm

Very good decision. Mr Shaharyar Khan deserves praise for this well thought out step.

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Saad Al hassan

Apr 27, 2017 04:31pm

Well, when you can arrange your PSL tournament in your own country, we will surely come. Except Zimbabwe, Afganistan, Kenya ...No country will visit. Not even Ireland.its your loss by not visiting bd. You will loose your revenue. We can arrange some other team to visit in no time.But I am a well wisher of PCB, I really hope things to get better in your country. General public is missing the fun

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M. Emad

Apr 27, 2017 04:41pm

Actually, Bangladesh call off tour of Pakistan till security situation improve in Pakistan.

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Sheraz Ali

Apr 27, 2017 04:49pm

Security in Bangladeshi is exactly same as in Pakistan. Infact bengali are more extremist then Pakistani and people who traveled to Syria to fight against IS are all Bengali mostly from UK and other part of the world.

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Sherry

Apr 27, 2017 04:50pm

Fight hard on the ground. Love each other harder outside. Enjoy the game till the time life allows you as you never know when your time is up. Come on Bangladesh, Pak has done a lot for you to be accepted first as an ODI and then as a Test team. Your players keep coming to retired players of Pak for games knowledge and find ways to improve their technique. More than the Pak it is you who will gain by playing them so just stop playing into the hands of one very famous and the richest board. We are crazy about this lovely game with or without any money so respect those who are accepting you as entertainers even with your limited capabilities.

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vikas

Apr 27, 2017 04:57pm

People seem to be very happy and supportive in these comments column for the 'brave and courageous' decision. At the end of the day whose loss? Analyse. Your home ground and home tour has been designated as UAE. Call them there and see if they refuse. Then go on the spree.

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pakistani

Apr 27, 2017 04:59pm

Good.

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Ganesh

Apr 27, 2017 05:31pm

Not clear why BD is refusing to tour. If the reason is that the PCB is offering discriminatory terms, that is, willing to host Australia, England, WI etc. in Dubai, but trying to arm-twist BD into playing in Pakistan proper, then they are quite right in saying no. This is regardless of the security situation, which is much improved. If they are being given the same terms as the other countries, then they should tour. However, the real story is India's continued intransigence in not playing bilateral matches with Pak, even in Dubai. This is in spite of a legally binding agreement. This is a complete disgrace and indicates that we Indians don't care about keeping our word. Also, I am unable to understand how the security situation in Pakistan can be considered so dangerous nowadays. How come the country was able to provide security for the Indian PM but cannot be trusted to take care of the Indian cricket team?

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M. Siddique

Apr 27, 2017 05:31pm

It is a political decision on part of Bangladesh not to visit Pakistan. Bad for cricket. As long as Hasina is at the helm political atmosphere will remain tainted.

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JKhan

Apr 27, 2017 05:33pm

At last some dignity from someone.

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METAPHOR

Apr 27, 2017 05:34pm

@Khawaja Work where? In road construction? For your information Bangladesh has higher export and foreign reserves than Pakistan. It is the Pakistanis who are travelling to Bangladesh to work on their textile export industry since Pakistan's own textile industry doesn't have electricity to even run for a few hours together.

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Salmam

Apr 27, 2017 05:51pm

@mandy we don't need your opinion

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WSYED

Apr 27, 2017 05:51pm

Does that mean PCB will refuse other teams as well who do not play in Pakistan. This is a childish response from the chairman, why not accept the facts and work on improving security. Why take a chance and put other teams on risk? If another incidence of terror happens then no one will ever dare to visit in future. Sensible path is to acknowledge Pakistan's situation, and find ways to improve.

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Shadman Jamil

Apr 27, 2017 05:51pm

As a Bangladeshi I am glad that PCB called off this tour. Everytime we have a series PCB either start whining for money (Last time we gave them $325,000 so they had their home series revenue) or they try to force us to go to Pakistan. No one wants to go to Pakistan than why should we? They are not safe for international cricket whether they like it or not that's the truth. Bangladesh doesn't need Pakistan in any mean so not playing series against them at all even in the future won't bother us as our FTP is full for next few years even without a series against them. Thanks to PCB for taking the initiative and cancelling this series

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Shadman Jamil

Apr 27, 2017 05:54pm

GANESH: When the FTP was set few years back there was no tour of Bangladesh to Pakistan. But since no one wants to visit Pakistan, PCB has been asking Bangladesh to tour them. You see Bangladesh is not obliged to tour Pakistan because it is not something they've agreed to according to FTP. So we shouldn't even be blamed for not touring them where there was no tour scheduled to begin with. You know teams often arrange series out of FTP and that's what PCB trying to do which is fine but we do get to say no because we aren't breaking any deal here.

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Fareed N

Apr 27, 2017 05:59pm

I guess Sheikh Haseena PM of BD wanted permission from India if she could invite Pakistani team. Modi rejected it.

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RIZ

Apr 27, 2017 05:59pm

Pakistan is much better place and much better team than Bangladesh. Pakistani supporters will enjoy more if Pakistan play against SL or any other team.

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Indian4RMBLORE

Apr 27, 2017 06:11pm

@Shadman Jamil Very mature reply, Good luck from india

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HumTum

Apr 27, 2017 06:13pm

I hope BCB sues PCB for breaking the contract now. There was no agreement for the Bangladesh side to tour Pakistan as per the contract and nothing new can be imposed without both parties agreeing. Its best that PCB kicks this old guy out as he has single-handedly taken the reputation to the gutters.

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Yousuf

Apr 27, 2017 06:19pm

This is unfortunate. It would have been a good testing ground for a new look Pakistan side without Misbah and Younus. Bangladesh is a much improved side in all formats so it would have made for an interesting contest. Cricket lost here sadly...

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Khan USA

Apr 27, 2017 06:27pm

Mr. Sheharyar Sahib , you have failed again and again !

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Apr 27, 2017 07:28pm

A contest between two countries would have been great watch. It could have been like india Pak match

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Jay

Apr 27, 2017 07:31pm

Every decision comes with its own pros and cons. Right now Pakistan team in rebuilding stages, needs to play and try new talent, therefore they should try to get as many games as possible. It will help us. It is all about demand and supply. Once you are in demand you can choose.

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NITIN MUKESH

Apr 27, 2017 07:47pm

@Sheraz Ali seriously why you all start comparing yourself with other countries. stop comparing start working.

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NITIN MUKESH

Apr 27, 2017 07:49pm

@M. Siddique try to find the faults in your own things. every time blaming other countries for your wrongdoings isn't going to save you

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Alba

Apr 27, 2017 07:52pm

In the 1950s and 1960s and 1970s Pakistan cricket meant something. It has diminished because of Pakistan's politics.

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Seriously?

Apr 27, 2017 08:00pm

With this logic, will we tour other countries?

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Omar

Apr 27, 2017 08:05pm

Too late, no one respects us anymore.

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masum

Apr 27, 2017 08:15pm

If Pakistan's security situation is so good , why they host their own PSL in UAE , not in Pakistan ? Before inviting any country they should host PSL in Pakistan to show to the whole world that Pakistan is safe for visiting countries. England visited Bangladesh only few months back and security was wonderful.

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Malik,USA

Apr 27, 2017 08:39pm

This is right step PCB has taken.Please be stick to it in future, no need ti play them even at the neutral venue.If they have to play ,they'll have to trust to the security that Pak assures them.We stood by them to get them the test status,now they are shaming to be insecure in Pakistan.wow!

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Malik,USA

Apr 27, 2017 08:40pm

@irfan uk Totally agree with you.

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Malik,USA

Apr 27, 2017 08:49pm

@For afghan Then why not country like Bdesh helps Pakistan in restoring intl.cricket in Pak? If Zim can visit Pak,why not BD?. Securoty situztion is same every where in the world now.When PCB is ready to provide PM's level security to the visiting teams then at least BD,SL should visit Pak to send a positive msg to the world.I didn't mention as India will never want to see the restoration intl. Cricket in Pak.

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Shadman Jamil

Apr 27, 2017 08:53pm

@Malik,USA Umm... Is that mean you are asking PCB not to host SL, WI in the future because they refused to tour Pakistan? How about series against India? I know PCB still asking India to host them despite India refused to play them in UAE. Do you think you can afford to stop playing against all the teams that refused to tour you due to Security issues???

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S. noman bd

Apr 27, 2017 08:55pm

It seems that Pak is playing (politics) with Ind through BD. If BD sues Pak for not visiting BD, it will justify Pak's decision to sue Ind for not playing with Pak. BD should stop playing with Pak anywhere in the world.

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Ash20

Apr 27, 2017 11:05pm

This is incomplete news. Bangladesh has offered to play in UAE same as other teams play with Pakistan but Pakistan refused to play in UAE. So, it is not fault of Bangladesh and no other country is touring Pakistan and there is no reason at this time for Bangladesh to tour at this time. On the other hand this might be strategic decision to qualify for World Cup automatically as chances of loss is very high against Bangladesh when games will be played in Bangladesh.

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Adil Jadoon

Apr 28, 2017 02:17am

Good move, they can play India instead....

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Usman

Apr 28, 2017 04:12am

Not wise decision

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MmKhan

Apr 28, 2017 07:54am

To secure the entry in to the Champions Trophy, Pakistan wanted to play higher ranking Bangladesh with the hope that at least a win against BD will increase their chance to enter the tournament. But after the series win against WI, they feel secure about their position, and hence Pakistan doesn't want to risk a Bangla Wash and find themselves behind WI. So, it's a good decision for Pakistan to play safe. Otherwise, there is no reason for Pakistan not to visit Bangladesh since BD promised they will give Pakistan some of the revenue!

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Mango man

Apr 28, 2017 08:59am

@fairy Actually it is much better.

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Raja parekh

Apr 28, 2017 01:46pm

High egos. Not a wise decision.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Apr 28, 2017 05:40pm

Good and timely decision by PCB.

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Sid

Apr 30, 2017 07:54am

Then Pakistan wonders why India calls of tours to play Pakistan.

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