Uncertainty surrounds Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan

The Bangladesh cricket team's upcoming tour to Pakistan is shrouded in uncertainty. Scheduled to play five T20I matches from May 25 to June 3 at two venues in Punjab, the series' fate now hangs in balance due to escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, which have raised concerns over security.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB) has already expressed serious concerns for their two players, including fast bowler Nahid Rana and spinner Rishad Hossain, who were busy in playing the HBL Pakistan Super League, which has now been relocated to the UAE.

The BCB is weighing the situation before giving green signal to its national team to tour Pakistan.

Officially Bangladesh is scheduled to land in Pakistan on May 21. The first two matches are scheduled to be held in Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium while the remaining three games will be hosted by Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Before touring Pakistan, Bangladesh also will face UAE in the two-match T20I Series in Sharjah on May 17 and 19.

They have already announced the squad for both UAE and Pakistan matches which will be led by Litton Das while Mahedi Hasan will be acting as his deputy.

The big issue is that the HBL PSL’s administration will have to hold the remaining matches in the UAE and it is a testing time for it now how to wrap-up the league inside the fixed window until May 18.

This can only be made possible if more than one venue is used for the remaining eight matches because of the hot weather in Dubai.

“The PCB is assessing all relevant options and will decide that which is appropriate in the current circumstances,” a well-placed source told Nukta.

“The work is being done and the things will soon be decided,” the source said.

In the wake of the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) late last night decided to shift the remaining matches to the UAE.

Pakistan’s military authorities have confirmed that three dozen India’s drones have been downed so far in various cities of the country. This escalated the tension in the PSL camps too and according to sources foreign players are also in constant tension.

The PSL has entered into an interesting stage. Barring Quetta Gladiators which have qualified for the playoffs, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United, Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi are set to fight for the remaining three top four slots.

Multan Sultans have been the most ineffective side of the country's marquee event as they have lost eight matches of the nine, they have played so far.

There are eight matches left. Karachi Kings will face Peshawar Zalmi, Peshawar Zalmi will meet Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United will be pitted against Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans will meet Quetta Gladiators. And it will be followed by the qualifier, two eliminators and final.

The PSL teams are waiting in Islamabad and Multan for the next step relating to their movement to the UAE.