Keeping civil unrest in mind, Bangladesh team to travel to Pakistan earlier than planned: Reports
The Bangladesh cricket team will reportedly travel to Pakistan for their upcoming two-match Test series earlier than planned. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the ongoing civil unrest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play two Test matches in Pakistan in August-September. The first match will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to August 25. The second Test will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
There were some concerns over the series in the wake of the ongoing civil unrest in Bangladesh. As per a report in Cricbuzz, the Bangladesh cricket team will now travel to Pakistan on August 12, five days earlier than what was initially planned.
The website had earlier reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had even offered to host Bangladesh for an extended period and provide them with training facilities in Rawalpindi, keeping the ongoing situation in Bangladesh in mind.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's foreign coaching staff have decided against practice sessions since their respective embassies have imposed travel restrictions in the wake of the political situation in the country.
"We cannot force them to attend practice sessions given their travel restrictions. The fact that several police stations in the city are still not operating is a significant concern. We are working on getting the team to Pakistan earlier," a BCB official was quoted as telling Cricbuzz.
Bangladesh's foreign coaching staff includes head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, bowling coach Andre Adams, assistant coach Nic Pothas, and spin consultant Mushtaq Ahmed, among others.
Pakistan have named Test squad for Bangladesh series
Pakistan recently announced their 17-man Test squad for the two matches against Bangladesh. The selectors have included young pacer Naseem Shah in the squad. The 21-year-old last played a Test match in July 2023.
Shan Masood will continue to captain the Pakistan team, while Saud Shakeel has been named the vice-captain. Aamer Jamal, who had a terrific tour of Australia earlier this year, has also been named subject to fitness.
Pakistan squad for Tests against Bangladesh: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamer Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Saim Ayub.