Security fears have long been a factor in cricket tours to Pakistan, and Bangladesh were no different. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had planned to send a security expert team for the upcoming two-Test series. However, the situation has taken an unexpected turn.
Due to recent political developments in Bangladesh, the tour has been brought forward by four days. A BCB source attributed this to security concerns. As a result, the team's departure date has been moved from August 17 to August 13
Foreign coaching staff members have raised safety concerns and opted to remain in Bangladesh. The team have decided to prioritise an early arrival in Pakistan to begin acclimatising and preparing.
The squad will undergo a three-day training camp at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from August 14-16 before moving to Islamabad for further practice at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 18-20.
BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujan thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the opportunity to train in Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of adapting to local conditions ahead of the ICC World Test Championship series.
The Bangladesh team have been training individually in Mirpur but are yet to formally gather for the Pakistan tour. The first Test is scheduled to start in Rawalpindi on August 21, with the series concluding in Karachi on August 30.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh A have arrived in Islamabad to play two four-day matches and three one-day fixtures against their Pakistani counterparts.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced a 15-man squad for the Tour of Pakistan on Sunday.
SQUAD
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed
Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Chairman of the National Selection Panel detailed all about the squad when he said, “Pakistan are very tough opponents, especially in their home ground and it will be a challenging tour for us. The emphasis was on picking our best players for this version. This is a well balanced squad. The likes of Mushfiqur (Rahim), Mominul (Haque) and Shakib (Al Hasan) have played 216 matches combined and there is no substitute for that kind of experience. Taijul (Islam) and Miraz (Mehidy Hasan) have been leading the spin department for a long time and have over 350 wickets between them. We also expect Shanto (Najmul Hossain), Litton (Kumer Das) and the other batsmen to step up because to be competitive against Pakistan, we will need a team effort.”
“We have selected five pacers mindful of the fact that Taskin Ahmed will only play the second Test. He hasn’t bowled in a Test since June last year and we have decided to include him in the A Team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to get him into the rhythm for longer version matches.”
Also, a couple of the pacers may join the A Team for the one-day matches and therefore we needed backups. Our attack has variety with bowlers who can bowl fast and also swing the ball and I am really looking forward to seeing them perform against world class batsmen.”
It is good that we will get additional time to prepare in Lahore. Also, some players who are in Pakistan already with the Bangladesh A side, will join the national team for the Test series. Their experience of the conditions should come in handy.”
