BCB seeks players’ consent for Pakistan tour
As uncertainty continues regarding Bangladesh’s possible tour of Pakistan later this month, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has already started taking players’ consent regarding the tour that includes three T20Is and two Tests later this month.
The BCB asked players to sign the Government Order (G.O) -- a standard procedure before any overseas series or tournaments -- and as per BCB sources it has emerged that a number of cricketers have already consented for the tour.
BCB President Nazmul Hassan met with three senior cricketers of the team on Tuesday evening to get their final overview on the matter. However, the final decision regarding the tour will be taken in a BCB meeting scheduled for January 12.
“We are just sharing the information with the players, explaining the situation, briefing about the security advice and government’s position,’’ BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told reporters yesterday.
“Different opinions came from the players, but nothing is formal. There is no final decision about the tour yet,” added Nizamuddin.
It was also learned that the BCB approached the players for their consent to play at least one Test in Pakistan despite previously mentioning that the board would only consider playing the three T20Is and that too depended on whether the board could form a good team for the tour as a number of players and coaching staff were unwilling to travel to Pakistan.
And while a number of players already consented for the tour, it was learned that Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim informed the board about his intentions of not touring with the side.
According to the sources, the board was under pressure to agree for a complete tour as a number of Bangladeshi players had already registered for the upcoming fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to be played from February 20 to March 22 and for which the players would have to stay in Pakistan for about a month.
However, a cricketer, requesting anonymity, clarified that the formalities regarding overseas and franchise-based tournaments are completed by their respective agents and sometimes without full knowledge of the players’ availability.
“Firstly, the agreement is signed by our agent and they complete all the formalities on our behalf when it comes to making us available for any franchise-based tournament and then again we cannot play the PSL as we have home series against Zimbabwe at that time,’’ said the player.
