ZCZC
BSP-21
CRICKET-ICC-BCB-PAK-TOUR
Pressure was from ICC to play WTC game in Pakistan: Papon
DHAKA, Jan 19, 2020 (BSS) — The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon said that the main reason to visit Pakistan is to play the matches of World Test Championship (WTC) for which there is pressure on them from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The two-match Test series that Bangladesh would play in Pakistan is the part of WTC game, which Papon said is like Test World Cup.
“If it is just bilateral series, then the situation would have been different but the two-match Test series is the part of World Test Championship, which is being organized by ICC. It is kind of World Cup. The championship game is being play by home and away basis, so there is no option [to avoid it],” Papon said here today.
“I think we should take part here as a full member of ICC. And ICC also wants that. This was the main pressure actually.”
The BCB chief said they would understand the whole situation of Pakistan once they would play the three-match T20 International series for which Bangladesh is leaving the country on January 22. The three T20Is are scheduled to be held on January 24, 25 and 27 and all the matches will be held in Lahore.
“I think we will understand the whole scenario once we’ll go there for T20 series. If the problem arises during the tour then we can discuss about it and can take the next course of action,” he pointed out.
After the T20 series, Bangladesh would visit Pakistan for two more times—firstly for first Test and secondly for an ODI and the second Test.
The BCB president further said if any unwanted situation happens there, they would change their decision.
“ICC would send their team and they have already observed the security condition in Pakistan. Meantime, International team started visiting there. Even Sri Lanka played Test series. ICC is sending their team, and so considering all those factors, it was tough to say ‘no’ to the tour. Despite all these, if any unwanted situation happens, then we won’t go there. If we think the situation is different than what we thought earlier, we’ll immediately cancel the tour.”
Nazmul Hassan Papon added that the players should concentrate on just cricket, leaving aside the security issue, which he said the BCB would deal with.
“I just want to say the players to concentrate on game, leaving the security issue aside. If the security issue in their mind, they can’t concentrate on game. The BCB will deal with the security matter.”
“It is tough to play cricket without mental peace. And yes we have sent an advance security team. The personnel from the NSI, DGFI will be there to observe the whole situation. For our part, we have taken full preparation. Now we just want the players to play with uncluttered mind.”
Papon said that he would present in Pakistan to give the players mental strength there. Along with him, the chief selector Minhajul Abdein Nannu, Cricket Operations chairman Akram Khan would be there with the team. Sabbir Khan will be there as the operations manager of the team.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1705 hrs