BCB adopting cautious stance on Pakistan series

LAHORE: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is adopting a cautious stance before confirming its participation in the upcoming five-match T20I series in Pakistan, scheduled to begin on May 25.

BCB President Faruque Ahmed revealed that the board is closely monitoring the situation, particularly regarding the safety of Bangladeshi players currently competing in PSL 10. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, playing for Lahore Qalandars, and fast bowler Nahid Rana, representing Peshawar Zalmi, are the two Bangladeshi cricketers involved in the tournament.

In a statement released Wednesday, the BCB confirmed that it is in active coordination with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad to ensure security measures are in place.

“We are really working on the current situation (as far as going to Pakistan for the T20I series) and it can wait for another three to four days,” Ahmed told a local sports outlet. “Let’s see how it progresses, but at the moment, our main concern is regarding the two players who are currently in Pakistan playing in the PSL.”

Meanwhile, the BCB has announced a 16-member squad for its upcoming T20I tours of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan. Litton Das has been named captain following Najmul Hossain Shanto’s decision to step down earlier this year, with Mahedi Hasan serving as vice-captain.

Bangladesh T20I Squad for UAE and Pakistan tour:

Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan (vice-captain), Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam.