BCB insists on neutral venue for Test matches against Pakistan
68
DHAKA: Bangladesh are ready to play Twenty20 Internationals in Pakistan next month but the Test series must take place in a neutral venue, the chief executive of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.
Test cricket returned to Pakistan after a decade with a two-Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this month. Rawalpindi and Karachi hosted Pakistan’s first Tests on home soil since a terror attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in March 2009.
Enthused by the smooth staging of the series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its team would no more play their ‘home’ matches abroad as has been the practice with Test teams shunning the country citing safety concerns.
PCB’s assertion notwithstanding, Bangladesh remain wary of touring Pakistan for a lengthy period, Chowdhury told the Daily Star newspaper.
“We stand firm on our ground. We only want to play T20Is in Pakistan,” the BCB chief executive was quoted as saying.
“The stakeholders related to the series do not want us to play longer-version cricket in Pakistan,” Nizamuddin said.
Bangladesh are expected to play three Twenty20 Internationals in Lahore before a two-Test series against Pakistan who completed a 1-0 series victory against Sri Lanka on Monday.
“Actually, we have no other option here. We can play the T20Is but if we are to play Tests then it should be in a neutral venue,” Nizamuddin added.
PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has hinted raising the matter with the governing International Cricket Council should Bangladesh refuse to play the Tests in Pakistan.
“No one should be under any misapprehension as to where Pakistan’s home Tests will take place,” Mani told reporters on Monday. “All of Pakistan’s matches, against Bangladesh or anyone else, will take place in Pakistan.
“I still hope the BCB will reflect on the matter and accept there is no reason for them not to visit Pakistan.”
Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2019
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (68) Closed
Dec 26, 2019 10:31am
They are worried about 5 days vs t20 ?
What’s the logic ? In between arriving, n departing after t20s there will be 4-6 days. So how is that different than a test match.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:38am
That is a fair request considering the present situation
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:39am
If BCP can play T20, they can play tests. Pak must stay firm or refuse to ever play in Bangladesh.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:46am
Bangladesh play in Pakistan or don’t play at all.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:49am
Tell them to take a hike
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:49am
We all know who is talking through Bangladesh mouth.
Funny it was Pakistan who helped Bangladesh get the test status and this is how they are repaying us
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:49am
As a Pakistani I will support Test Cricket in Pakistan but at the same time it might take some time to gain some confidence for others.
What I would suggest is that T20s should happen in Pakistan as Bangladesh already agrees. If PCB does not want to do neutral venues for Test Cricket then lets leave this test series for now. I would not prefer to have bad relations with our brother nation of Bangladesh. Lets target the low hanging fruit here.
As an analogy, being a host, I cannot force anyone to come to my house but whoever wants to come, I want to welcome them with open arms.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:11am
Tell BCB to play all matches in Pakistan or take a hike plus why would BCB players feel threatened in Pakistan. Right now they are more in danger in India than Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:13am
Stay firm Mani, Bangladesh is doing someone else’s bidding. If Sri Lanka can play, any Asian team can play. Very lame excuse.
Absolutely no need to budge.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:13am
This should be a test case to ensure that all further home series also take place in Pakistan. The PCB need to insist upon this & take the matter to the ICC for resolution. If the PCB accepts the BCB stance, they will have little choice but to accept the same from the ECB & other Boards in the future.
It also highlights the absence of an ICC security team that should rule on the security situation in individual countries. There would then be a basis for imposing punitive measures on countries that refuse to accept the ICC recommendations.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:33am
@Dawn, Agree. Enough is enough. Why deny Pakistani Cricket fans to enjoy a home series. This cancellation is for no valid reasons.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:33am
Expect no wonders...
Countries must put a premium on the lives of the visiting teams in Pakistan.
Mani - Be ready to eat a humble pie and more!
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:35am
We don't take dictates.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:35am
There will be more spectators in UAE as compared to Pakistan. Public did not show up to the much awaited test comeback in Pakistan.
Mani should concentrate on how to make a tournament big enough.Pathetic TV shows followed by pathetic advertisement for the upcoming series seldom create any enthusiasm for viewers.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:40am
Tell them ok come for T20 and then start a Test, anyway Test will wont last more than 3 days so Pakistan will have a test and Bangladesh there 3 days
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 11:53am
Let's play the shorter formats in Pakistan and the test matches in Bangladesh. Let's not be stubborn headed. Our young team needs matches to improve. No point in lengthy lay offs for thr team with no cricket
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:07pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan, how many people turned up at the stadium to watch Sri Lanka matches?
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:07pm
Bangladeshi’s man up and play inside Pakistan
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:12pm
PCB must reach out to ICC, to sort this matter out. BCB must have solid/factual reasons for not visiting Pakistan, not just emotional stuff which have been prevailing for some time now.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:13pm
We don’t need a degree in rocket science to understand who is behind this demand. Ignore poor bengalis and just move on. We need better opponents to play with.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:14pm
PCB is a bit of disconnected with reality. At the end of the day , it takes two to agree to play in a country. If BD is not comfortable, they wont play.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:20pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan, Pakistani cricket fans? There were never more than a couple of thousand spectators in the stadiums.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:33pm
@chakay pay chakha, ICC head is indian
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:40pm
Keep the sport out of politics. Bangladesh dont become the tool of India blind destruction of Pakistan Cricket. Bangladesh woman's cricket team just recently tours Pakistan why men are reluctant.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:42pm
Wise decision BCB.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:45pm
Pakistan is more secure than Bangladesh.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 12:55pm
@Amir, Australia and England too refused to play in Pakistan, is the same reason?
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:11pm
What security Bangladeshi players want? Someone should tell them that more than half of cooks and chefs in DHA Karachi are from Bangladesh. They live in peace. Visiting members should not be afraid of coming to Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:12pm
@Khurram, yes you do, from BCCI everytime.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:32pm
No doubt, BCB is acting like a slave of BCCI and has no other options but to speak, utter and say " the master's voice" only. Shame on all those sick minded people, who even in this day and age of the 21st century are bent upon mixing sports with politics.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:39pm
BCB are being influenced by BCCI.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:57pm
Happy to be without cricket at home than to bow to such rubbish / unsubstantiated stance.....Play in Pk or stay at your home.....
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:58pm
Say goodbye to playing cricket tests on neutral venue. No more.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 01:58pm
Ia not it is the same country that Pakistan helped to get test status
And Australia recently refused to host for being too weak and no one want to watch then play.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 02:15pm
Bangladesh should play three T20 matches in Pakistan and Test matches on neutral venue.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 03:25pm
@Rohit, People did not show up in the Srilankan series because PCB did a lot of discrimination in the selection process and the masses did not like it and did not showup. This should not mean that people of Pakistan should be denied of their right to have international cricket matches on their soil.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 03:33pm
BCB decision is unfortunate. We must try to improve our relationship with Bangladesh. Let us play test series in their country.
On the face BCB decision looks ridiculous whereby they do not find any problems in playing T20s and consider it to be safe.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 03:46pm
It should be their choice,Whether they to play in Pakistan or not.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 03:48pm
Bangladesh denied to play test matches in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 03:48pm
We can do without the T20s as well. Let the Bangladesh team stay home and pay us the monetary and other penalties for forfeited test matches as well as the T20s. As far as safety goes, Bangladeshi team can't call any other country more dangerous than their own. They should consider: their chaotic road traffic; extreme air, water and land pollution; collapsing residential and factory buildings right across Dhaka; frequent episodes of lawlessness; shear overcrowding anywhere and everywhere across the length and breadth of the country; and the highest rates of natural calamities and disasters - before terming any other country 'unsafe'.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 04:28pm
Mani's approach is supported by all cricket loving Pakistan. Test matches with Pakistan should either be in Pakistan or the opponent team's country - no neutral venues in future.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 04:35pm
ICC power only extends as far as Pakistan nobody else seems to listen.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 04:44pm
No major nation would play Tests in Pakistan. Period. Done.
Now it looks like minor nations too will avoid Pakistan. Lives are important.
BCB will prevail.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 04:48pm
@Rohit, - Turn out had always been like that in Pakistan. People go to jobs and turn to the stadium on Weekends.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 05:24pm
Just because sri lanka toured pakistan,you cant dictate others to come too.Be patient slowly other teams too will follow try to show the world that pakistan is a safe country.PCB must realize that pakistan has to bend if it wants cricket to thrive,without evidence accusing BCCI wont help pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 05:26pm
Why some still nations are still apprehensive to play in Pakistan, is well known. Life is precious than taking risk.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 05:46pm
If they insist neutral venu, it is even better for Pakistan as Pakistan can earn more money in neutral menu like UAE, as the exchange rate is higher.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 05:54pm
If Sri Lanka can play Test matches in Pakistan then why not Bangladesh. Sri Lanka was the team targeted when their bus was attacked and they are the first team to return and play Test matches. Pakistan is safe for cricket as all PSL matches would be held in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 05:55pm
No one should be under any misapprehension as to where Pakistan’s home Tests will take place,” Mani told reporters on Monday."
Tell that to Australia,NZ, England,SA or India when their turn comes to visit Pakistan.? SL,BD, Zimbabwe may be to some extent WI you could tell. But all their answer will be same.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 06:37pm
@Ebrahim, Try this and Pakistan would lose their case.
Security is not a perception but a reality. It changes in Pakistan overnight.
The psychological aspects cannot be ignored. The playing field is not level for both teams. Players and the staff would like to have their peace of mind to train and play the Test Cricket series. Pakistan cannot provide it at this time. You need to wait for the right time.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 06:37pm
BCB cannot dictate terms.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 06:52pm
@Anas Iqbal, brother?? How easily you can say that as if everything is forgotten and forgiven
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 06:56pm
@Rohit, And how many people show up to watch test series in UAE? Only in England and Australia you will find a big crowd for test matches. There is absolutely no reason for BCB to ask for a neutral venue.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 07:09pm
To hell with Bangladesh Cricket Team. No tests on neutral venues. Even if it means losing points. Obviously BCB thinks cancellation of series will probably be a better result compared to actual result.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 07:12pm
“The stakeholders related to the series do not want us to play longer-version cricket in Pakistan,” Who are the stakeholders, Indian Cricket Board?
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 07:28pm
@Kareem, PCB can also not
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 07:50pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan, really..
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 08:45pm
I think its not the safety issue only of the players. As it is a commercial event and organizers invest money ofcourse they would look for profit through sale of tickets and TV rights. These are also missing in Pakistan as media, broadcasters, promoters all may feel unsafe and avoid it.Better look at these things.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 08:48pm
SL board was in dire state. It was easy to bribe them to make them play in Pakistan. Comparatively BCB is doing well. Why would they risk their players' lives?
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:01pm
Its just nonsense, PCB shouldn't entertain this request as BCB doesn't offer any logic behind not playing in Pakistan. It's more political. Sky will not fall if PCB doesn't play a series against BCB.
Recommend
0
Dec 26, 2019 10:01pm
Just another tactic of BCB to isolate Pakistan and these tactics wont work, Play in Pakistan or take a hike
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 12:18am
They know that there is no chance to win test in Pakistan. Pakistan is safer place than Bangladesh and if they don't come than matches should be considered forfeited and Pakistan should get full points.
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 03:54am
The more BCB thinks there is an issue between Bangladesh and Pakistan the more it highlights it has issues when Pakistan does not, this would instead increase animosity towards BCB and its team. It s hypocritical have T20 and not Tests, why?
Unhelpful attitude in such statements by BCB increases the mistrust that Bangladesh remains in the 1971 political mood, when that was to be forgotten to move on as adults.
"PCB’s assertion notwithstanding, Bangladesh remain wary of touring Pakistan for a lengthy period, Chowdhury told the Daily Star newspaper."
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 06:02am
That is perfectly OK -- ALL south asia team matches to be played in neutral zones - SL BD PK IN, and of course Afghanistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 06:57am
Play anywhere but in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 07:56am
@Rohit, Mr. Rocket scientist that was because of fog could not drive.
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 08:52am
Looks like Bangladeshi women and under 16 kids had more guts than Bangladeshi men!
Recommend
0
Dec 27, 2019 03:04pm
Enough is Enough.
PCB should cancel the T20's if Bangla Desh refuses to play Test Cricket in Pakistan.
Recommend
0
