"I implore ICC to step in. Bangladesh has no excuse to not come to Pakistan" : Azhar Ali

[Abdullah719]

Azhar Ali at a press conference after the 2nd Test against SL:

Special thanks to the SL team and the board from the bottom of our hearts, they probably don't know how much happiness they've given us by playing at home for the first time (since 2009).

There are some special players in this dressing room. The last year has been tough for us as a Test team. Coming here and playing at home has been an emotional moment for us. Our performance has been very satisfactory.

So much talent in these youngsters, experience will come with time. They have taken great strides and they are learning the art of bowling quickly. They are the best bowlers in Pakistan and we have to back them.

When we got out for 191, it was a special effort from the fast-bowlers. Abbas came into his own, Shaheen kept asking for the ball and got 5 wickets.

You have to stay calm under pressure and that's where the team management is very important. The dressing room was calm.

Runs from me were long due, I was practising and trying hard and alhamdulillah I got a big innings, I hope I can continue with that now.

We had some doubts about how we'll win matches here since we haven't played since a long time, we know how to win in UAE. Now we have a decent idea how to play cricket in Pakistan and win Test matches, we need to build on this now.

I don't understand the reason for Bangladesh not coming to Pakistan for Test matches. There is no excuse. ICC must step in, this is for the World Test Championship. Many teams have come to Pakistan now, PSL matches have happened, World XI came, major current players have visited, SL team is going back after playing 2 Test matches so I don't understand the reason for Bangladesh not coming. If Asian teams and cricket boards don't support each other, what will this lead to? Our Test cricket is already less and I am sure Bangladesh aren't playing a lot of Test cricket either. We must support each other and I implore ICC to step in. Bangladesh has no excuse to not come. Everything is going smoothly, crowds are coming, everything is excellent and we are seeing quality cricket.

It often happens in your career that you don't make runs and you don't know why. You keep doing the same routines etc. but it just doesn't happen, it's not easy. When that period becomes long then things become difficult but you need to keep things simple and try to apply yourself and be positive. The credit goes to the openers for the platform they set. Their innings under pressure, these can be career changing and I am hopeful that their careers will go to greater heights. Such innings take you to the next level, mentally. Luck favoured me and once I crossed 50, the confidence was back and I'm feeling good. I will try to ensure that I don't let this go and keep performing.

Winning one Test series doesn't mean all our problems will go away. We still have a new bowling attack and we need to gain more experience. Until we don't win home series regularly and do well overseas, we can't relax. You can't ever relax in international cricket and we have a long way to go.

Regarding Yasir Shah, players go through patches where they can't score runs or take wickets. I think we should back him, he's our world record holder and has been a match winner. 2-3 poor series don't mean he's a bad bowler. Yes, on current form he is struggling but he's our best spinner. I am hopeful that he will start taking wickets and with some good spells, he will be back on track.

PCB have given me time but whenever you play professional sports, you need to perform whether as a team or as a player.

The ideas I want to implement are not only in the cricket, there are so many things in the dressing room and behind the scenes that need to be addressed. I have ideas about how we need to go forward as a team, how players handle themselves etc., I will try to ensure that I apply that during my tenure and forever leave a legacy for the Pakistan team. As a team management also, we have the same thinking.

Test cricket is very important for Pakistan and we should play as many matches as we can. For the last 8-10, 12 years, we have gotten very few Test matches and the Chairman has spoken about this too. The more Tests, the better.

I want to convert this innings into good form and perform well and help Pakistan to win more matches.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Strongest statement he's ever given.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

why captain, coach, selector involve in it?
I do not think that's their job. I think they should avoid this question and let board handle this matter.

 

[Abdullah719]

why captain, coach, selector involve in it?
I do not think that's their job. I think they should avoid this question and let board handle this matter.

Looks like a ploy to increase the pressure from the media.

 

[Forward Defensive Push]

why captain, coach, selector involve in it?
I do not think that's their job. I think they should avoid this question and let board handle this matter.

Much better than nutjobs at PCB to screw it up with confusing statements. Azhar and Misbah are much better articulators and drive the point home.

 

[ZaudStorm]

BCB should just be the bigger man and get on with the tour, otherwise I'm afraid this leg pulling won't stop. And we all know that if anything happens, it'll be the end of cricket in Pakistan so optimal security is guaranteed.

 

[Bewal Express]

BD aren't coming because they have a bit of power. PK were the only ones that helped BD at the start. As the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Pcb should be careful , they need to have cricketing ties with bangladesh and other countries. Let them first tour for t20s as srilanka did and if they feel good after that they might tour for lo ger formats. PCB is trying to strong arm BCB which will probably make them cancel the t20 visit too. I cant undersgand the stupid people in pcb and that now includes the captain and the coach too.

 

[Vastunna]

Isn't this the job of Wasim Khan ??

Why are Azhar and Misbah making statements about this.

 

[ZaudStorm]

Pcb should be careful , they need to have cricketing ties with bangladesh and other countries. Let them first tour for t20s as srilanka did and if they feel good after that they might tour for lo ger formats. PCB is trying to strong arm BCB which will probably make them cancel the t20 visit too. I cant undersgand the stupid people in pcb and that now includes the captain and the coach too.

This exactly.....I'll bet an arm/leg that BCB would soon after a few months tour Pak for Tests if the officials and the players at Pakistan didn't get emotional. Still can happen.

 

[MenInG]

Isn't this the job of Wasim Khan ??

Why are Azhar and Misbah making statements about this.

Possibly part of a strategy.

 

[moghul]

why captain, coach, selector involve in it?
I do not think that's their job. I think they should avoid this question and let board handle this matter.

Captain, coach/selector are the right people who should be talking about that, I don;t expect Imran Khan or Donald Trump to take this matter.

 

[moghul]

Pcb should be careful , they need to have cricketing ties with bangladesh and other countries. Let them first tour for t20s as srilanka did and if they feel good after that they might tour for lo ger formats. PCB is trying to strong arm BCB which will probably make them cancel the t20 visit too. I cant undersgand the stupid people in pcb and that now includes the captain and the coach too.

Ridiculous, what careful ??? BD has no excuse not to tour, they just trying to please BCCI. BD should be careful, not PCB . BY not touring BCB might be pleasing India but I'm sure there will be some penalty from ICC. They are low profile test team, just beaten by Afghanistan, they can;t afford irresponsible and non-sporting attitude like this.

 

[Vastunna]

Possibly part of a strategy.

Waaim Khan is being paid a fortune. He should do better than coming up with ideas like dragging in cricketers and staff.

 

[gazza619]

Never ever have i wanted to see pak play bangladesh in tests and win by huge margins.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Just cut the tour in two parts like they did for SL

 

[Abdullah719]

Pcb should be careful , they need to have cricketing ties with bangladesh and other countries. Let them first tour for t20s as srilanka did and if they feel good after that they might tour for lo ger formats. PCB is trying to strong arm BCB which will probably make them cancel the t20 visit too. I cant undersgand the stupid people in pcb and that now includes the captain and the coach too.

The main point of the series are the two WTC Tests. The T20Is are irrelevant.

Just cut the tour in two parts like they did for SL

For that to happen, there has to be some kind of an understanding. BCB haven't shown any inclination to do this, they keep sending out statements saying they want the series at a neutral venue.

The calendar is also a problem. This tour is meant to be held in late Jan/early Feb, after which there is PSL which will probably finish in mid-March. PCB are in talks with SA to tour after PSL for a short T20I series as well. At some point in April, the weather generally starts getting pretty hot, and it gets worse in May/Jun after which Pakistan has a packed schedule for approximately the next year.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

A country that never deserved test status is threatening PCB

Even today BD are minnows in tests and I have no doubt that they will finish rock bottom in the WTC.

I always say this and will say it again BD never deserved test status it was the worst decision of the ICC. This immature board should never have been handed test status. 20 years later they are still minnows even after so much investment. Ideal example of how to not run a cricketing nation.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Ridiculous, what careful ??? BD has no excuse not to tour, they just trying to please BCCI. BD should be careful, not PCB . BY not touring BCB might be pleasing India but I'm sure there will be some penalty from ICC. They are low profile test team, just beaten by Afghanistan, they can;t afford irresponsible and non-sporting attitude like this.

Lol we need people coming in pakistan and you dont invite anyone by threatening them. If they dont want to come no one can force them.

 

[JibranAnsari]

The main point of the series are the two WTC Tests. The T20Is are irrelevant.



For that to happen, there has to be some kind of an understanding. BCB haven't shown any inclination to do this, they keep sending out statements saying they want the series at a neutral venue.

The calendar is also a problem. This tour is meant to be held in late Jan/early Feb, after which there is PSL which will probably finish in mid-March. PCB are in talks with SA to tour after PSL for a short T20I series as well. At some point in April, the weather generally starts getting pretty hot, and it gets worse in May/Jun after which Pakistan has a packed schedule for approximately the next year.

Wtc doesnt suddenly makes pakistan a safe place.

 

[Markhor]

And I implore you to focus on your captaincy Mr "Two slips and a deep point."

 

[Abdullah719]

Wtc doesnt suddenly makes pakistan a safe place.

Safe enough for T20Is but not Tests, apparently.

 

[Junaids]

The PCB strategy is likely to make the Bangladesh side firmer in its opposition.

Let me illustrate why.

My dad grew up in Dacca before and after partition. He was from a British family, but because he lived there until he was 26 he can speak some Bengali and Urdu as well as English. My grandmother refused to move to England because she didn’t want to do without servants.

In the mid-1960’s my father moved to England to work as a doctor. But in 1971 when the independence war happened the Pakistan Army sent a death squad to my grandmother’s house because they didn’t know that this “educated potential future leader” had left. Meanwhile my aunt’s husband - a university student - was arrested and tortured, and still can’t walk properly.

My family lived in Dacca, but they aren’t even Bangladeshi, and even they have these stories of Pakistani behaviour towards them. I have no sense of loyalty to either country, and no axe to grind, but I can see that comments like those of Misbah and Azhar are not going to be well received for historical reasons.

I would assume that if you scratch the surface, most Bangladeshi families have similar but worse stories compared with my family’s.

So if the PCB wishes this tour to occur, adopting a confrontational approach is only going to backfire.

Most of my Pakistani friends are surprised when I tell them the family details I listed above. They have only ever heard such stories as far-fetched and deniable claims.

But the reality of 1971 really should inform how the PCB approaches the BCB.

I want this series to happen in Pakistan. But you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and hostility and threats are just going to backfire.

 

[coy0607]

using a blanket statement like "Pakistan isn't safe" is outdated, inaccurate and just plain lazy.

If BCB, or any other boards have problems they they NEED to provide specifics and detail on where the issue is, and if every major city (that could host tests) has that problem.

If not, they need to shut up with the excuses. As of now, Pakistan has successfully hosted tests and has been hosting T20's / ODI's for some time now without incident AH

 

[Green Patriot]

Bangladesh sent their women's team without any qualms. It is indeed surprising that the men arent safe but the women are.

 

[angrypathan]

Totally unnecessary statements that if anything will reduce the likelihood of Bangladesh touring

 

[Savak]

Bangladesh should not be given a second thought. A very poor test team and a team against whom playing will not really improve the team much

 

[big_gamer007]

Active players should refrain from such comments, it leads a negative impact.

 

[Pete Rose]

I am ok with captain saying it but not the coach. Besides he makes an important point: both sides dont have enough games in the FTP....they need to support each other.

 

[pakistanisgreat]

Captain, coach/selector are the right people who should be talking about that, I don;t expect Imran Khan or Donald Trump to take this matter.

what a ignorant post. Do you even know how a organization works? If that's their job then what is the job of other people in the PCB?
According to you, then Misbah and Azhar should invite and organize the series and let Wasim khan and Mani play the cricket.

 

[sshakir411]

Comments from players and coach really don’t help. Keep it zipped. Wasim and Mani should be doing all the talking on this topic.

 

[ahsan17]

Why are Azhar and Misbah making these comments publicly? Privately it's different.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The PCB strategy is likely to make the Bangladesh side firmer in its opposition.

Let me illustrate why.

My dad grew up in Dacca before and after partition. He was from a British family, but because he lived there until he was 26 he can speak some Bengali and Urdu as well as English. My grandmother refused to move to England because she didn’t want to do without servants.

In the mid-1960’s my father moved to England to work as a doctor. But in 1971 when the independence war happened the Pakistan Army sent a death squad to my grandmother’s house because they didn’t know that this “educated potential future leader” had left. Meanwhile my aunt’s husband - a university student - was arrested and tortured, and still can’t walk properly.

My family lived in Dacca, but they aren’t even Bangladeshi, and even they have these stories of Pakistani behaviour towards them. I have no sense of loyalty to either country, and no axe to grind, but I can see that comments like those of Misbah and Azhar are not going to be well received for historical reasons.

I would assume that if you scratch the surface, most Bangladeshi families have similar but worse stories compared with my family’s.

So if the PCB wishes this tour to occur, adopting a confrontational approach is only going to backfire.

Most of my Pakistani friends are surprised when I tell them the family details I listed above. They have only ever heard such stories as far-fetched and deniable claims.

But the reality of 1971 really should inform how the PCB approaches the BCB.

I want this series to happen in Pakistan. But you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and hostility and threats are just going to backfire.

Sorry bro but exactly what are you on about?

What does any of this have to do with cricket? And just btw current generation of Bangladeshis were born Bangaldeshis whereas, current generation of Pakistanis have only read about 1971 in history books.

This has nothing to do with any of that. It's just a case of BCB either trying to either settle scores with the PCB for the way these boards have clashed in the past or they are taking dictation from India because we all know the current AL Bangladesh govt. is very pro-Indian. And if India can get the Sri Lankan PM office to send out a bomb threat before the T20 ssries in Pakistan then they can almost certainly tell Bangladesh to do the same.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

PCB should stand firm on their position as they have done so far. Better there is no series than a series in UAE. Bangladesh is creating meaningless drama at the behest of their overlords in Delhi.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Things like this are discussed in boardrooms.

If BCB gives in, they will now look incredibly weak and even their supporters may not be happy with such a capitulation.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Things like this are discussed in boardrooms.

If BCB gives in, they will now look incredibly weak and even their supporters may not be happy with such a capitulation.

Well, this dramaybaazi is making them look important atleast in terms of Test cricket. Can't say that happens much.

Their supporters should be happy regardless

 

[Shazzam]

If Azhar was asked this question he should have avoided it by saying “I can’t answer that. You must ask the higher ups about this as my job is to perform for the team at any given time.”

 

[Realromeo]

Pathetic statement by the captain. Good luck getting Bangladesh to tour now.

 

[Saj]

The reality is that the BCB has no excuses left now to tour Pakistan:

Sri Lanka LOI series completed
Test series v Sri Lanka completed
Overseas players lined up to play PSL in Pakistan

 

[Hasan123]

I don’t think the ICC can do much if Bangladesh don’t want to travel. We need to respect Bangladesh decision if they don’t want to travel. We are no one to decide for what a human thinks is safe or not. I believe Pakistan is safe but I refuse to impose this a foreign person due to what events have taken place in Pakistan in the past.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

The PCB strategy is likely to make the Bangladesh side firmer in its opposition.

Let me illustrate why.

My dad grew up in Dacca before and after partition. He was from a British family, but because he lived there until he was 26 he can speak some Bengali and Urdu as well as English. My grandmother refused to move to England because she didn’t want to do without servants.

In the mid-1960’s my father moved to England to work as a doctor. But in 1971 when the independence war happened the Pakistan Army sent a death squad to my grandmother’s house because they didn’t know that this “educated potential future leader” had left. Meanwhile my aunt’s husband - a university student - was arrested and tortured, and still can’t walk properly.

My family lived in Dacca, but they aren’t even Bangladeshi, and even they have these stories of Pakistani behaviour towards them. I have no sense of loyalty to either country, and no axe to grind, but I can see that comments like those of Misbah and Azhar are not going to be well received for historical reasons.

I would assume that if you scratch the surface, most Bangladeshi families have similar but worse stories compared with my family’s.

So if the PCB wishes this tour to occur, adopting a confrontational approach is only going to backfire.

Most of my Pakistani friends are surprised when I tell them the family details I listed above. They have only ever heard such stories as far-fetched and deniable claims.

But the reality of 1971 really should inform how the PCB approaches the BCB.

I want this series to happen in Pakistan. But you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and hostility and threats are just going to backfire.

Sorry but are you saying you are from a European background and your European or British parents had settled in Bangladesh before moving back to their native Europe/England.

Or are you saying your family was always of Bengali origin with British nationality?

It's very unclear just who and what you are trying to portray your family and yourself as.

 

[Monsee]

If BD were from a European or Western background, I can see someone specifically trying to target them while touring Pakistan...I just don't get why BD's feel they will be harmed or someone will try to harm them in Pakistan?

I get any arguments you can throw at this but BD is not a non-Muslim country, so what is it any crazy person will target them for i.e. they eat too much fish and rice or what?

 

[ZamanFan]

Things like this are discussed in boardrooms.

If BCB gives in, they will now look incredibly weak and even their supporters may not be happy with such a capitulation.

How many overseas tours Bangladesh is scheduled to play before World T20?

 

[Mean&Green]

sheikh haseena is indias puppet all these antics are quite understood. But lol bangladesh out of all teams should be coming here bloody hell you are still minnows and pakistan is your only chance at a win take this opprtunity with both hands instead of acting up which clearly you are in no position to do as well cause you're a below average team to say the least. Not saying that their lives don't matter they matter as much as anyone elses but we clearly know bangladesh is not coming not because of the security but personal grudges and pressure from their other neighbours.

 

[Majestic_Inzi]

Pcb should be careful , they need to have cricketing ties with bangladesh and other countries. Let them first tour for t20s as srilanka did and if they feel good after that they might tour for lo ger formats. PCB is trying to strong arm BCB which will probably make them cancel the t20 visit too. I cant undersgand the stupid people in pcb and that now includes the captain and the coach too.

i think with whats happening in India they might come in-spite, the citizenship saga involves Bangladeshis.

 

[Waleed93]

Our captain and coach should not even be talking about this. This is a matter which needs to be solved between the PCB and the BCB.

Looking at these comments coming from Azhar, and especially Misbah who said that Bangladesh are "just making excuses" to avoid touring Pakistan, I highly doubt BCB officials will allow their team to tour Pakistan now.

 

[Abdullah]

When are the games meant to be

 

[MenInG]

The reality is that the BCB has no excuses left now to tour Pakistan:

Sri Lanka LOI series completed
Test series v Sri Lanka completed
Overseas players lined up to play PSL in Pakistan

Not sure why this posturing from Bangladesh - its almost to make a point of some sort (not clear what that point is)

 

[Abdullah719]

When are the games meant to be

Late January-ish.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan declared the most popular tourist destination for the world - and we have Bangladesh worried.

 

[gazza619]

The PCB strategy is likely to make the Bangladesh side firmer in its opposition.

Let me illustrate why.

My dad grew up in Dacca before and after partition. He was from a British family, but because he lived there until he was 26 he can speak some Bengali and Urdu as well as English. My grandmother refused to move to England because she didn’t want to do without servants.

In the mid-1960’s my father moved to England to work as a doctor. But in 1971 when the independence war happened the Pakistan Army sent a death squad to my grandmother’s house because they didn’t know that this “educated potential future leader” had left. Meanwhile my aunt’s husband - a university student - was arrested and tortured, and still can’t walk properly.

My family lived in Dacca, but they aren’t even Bangladeshi, and even they have these stories of Pakistani behaviour towards them. I have no sense of loyalty to either country, and no axe to grind, but I can see that comments like those of Misbah and Azhar are not going to be well received for historical reasons.

I would assume that if you scratch the surface, most Bangladeshi families have similar but worse stories compared with my family’s.

So if the PCB wishes this tour to occur, adopting a confrontational approach is only going to backfire.

Most of my Pakistani friends are surprised when I tell them the family details I listed above. They have only ever heard such stories as far-fetched and deniable claims.

But the reality of 1971 really should inform how the PCB approaches the BCB.

I want this series to happen in Pakistan. But you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and hostility and threats are just going to backfire.

Going by your statement why did Bangladesh ever toured Pakistan or invited Pakistan in the past?

We all know BCB are playing a dirty game and this has no crap to do with 1971.

 

[Saj]

One could say that Azhar and Misbah shouldn't have spoken up on the BCB issue, but there again you can sense their frustration especially after the successful tour of Sri Lanka.

 

[Junaids]

Going by your statement why did Bangladesh ever toured Pakistan or invited Pakistan in the past?

We all know BCB are playing a dirty game and this has no crap to do with 1971.

I have obviously explained my self badly.

I’m not saying that 1971 is a reason for them to never tour ever.

I’m saying that 1971 is a reason why no Pakistani is ever going to change a Bangladeshi’s mind by talking down to them or forcefully to them. You just need to be sensitive and respectful.

As I explained above, my family weren’t even Bengalis but happened to live in Dacca. My uncle by marriage (who is Bengali) got tortured, a death squad was sent for my Dad and one of his best friend’s wife was gang-raped.

And I assume that every Bangladeshi family has a similar history. It may not be mentioned much, but it’s there. I get that the Pakistani side of that story has moved on, and obviously when the people who directed this and the actual perpetrators got back to Pakistan they had an urgent need for this to be whitewashed from history.

I’m merely arguing that in terms of the cricket tour issue the Pakistani side needs to understand that taking a forceful line or arguing that the Bangladeshis owe them something is not the way to make it happen.

 

[Shah]

Bangladesh is afraid of being badly beaten in the tests in Pakistan. That is what it does not want to come.

 

[gazza619]

I have obviously explained my self badly.

I’m not saying that 1971 is a reason for them to never tour ever.

I’m saying that 1971 is a reason why no Pakistani is ever going to change a Bangladeshi’s mind by talking down to them or forcefully to them. You just need to be sensitive and respectful.

As I explained above, my family weren’t even Bengalis but happened to live in Dacca. My uncle by marriage (who is Bengali) got tortured, a death squad was sent for my Dad and one of his best friend’s wife was gang-raped.

And I assume that every Bangladeshi family has a similar history. It may not be mentioned much, but it’s there. I get that the Pakistani side of that story has moved on, and obviously when the people who directed this and the actual perpetrators got back to Pakistan they had an urgent need for this to be whitewashed from history.

I’m merely arguing that in terms of the cricket tour issue the Pakistani side needs to understand that taking a forceful line or arguing that the Bangladeshis owe them something is not the way to make it happen.

I understand the sensitivity of the past but you are ignoring the fact that BCB are playing a game. And that my friend is just not on! Many Pakistanis have reached to point where they don't give a toss anymore of anyone's feelings. We have shown to the world that we are ready for cricket so please let's only talk cricket.

 

[Sidilicious]

I understand the sensitivity of the past but you are ignoring the fact that BCB are playing a game. And that my friend is just not on! Many Pakistanis have reached to point where they don't give a toss anymore of anyone's feelings. We have shown to the world that we are ready for cricket so please let's only talk cricket.

If you don’t give a toss about anyone’s feelings then why should Bangladeshis give a toss about playing cricket in Pakistan.

Would the Pakistanis have done similar posturing against Australia, England? Of course, no.

Bangladesh have a right to be treated equally by ICC. If ICC can’t force Australia or England to travel to Pakistan, then they can’t force Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan, even if a Pakistani may think otherwise. It’s not a human right to have teams touring Pakistan.

So it’s a simple question. Will this aggressive approach work for Pakistan? No. As with the history suggested by [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION], Bangladesh will not cow down to such behaviour.

How would it look for BCB if they toured now, even if they get convinced that the security is good enough. It would look like they gave in to the Pakistanis demands. Do you think the Bangladeshi people will accept this?

This matter required a touch of diplomacy and PCB has been caught lacking in this again. I’ve never understood the arrogance of PCB, especially over the last decade or so.
Financially, they are one of the weaker boards, and haven’t been a top tier team either. At least before, they were one of the top teams. Now, even BCB is a financially stronger board than the PCB. But somehow they feel superior to other nations. This has bitten them so many times, and yet they refuse to learn their lesson.

 

[Junaids]

I understand the sensitivity of the past but you are ignoring the fact that BCB are playing a game. And that my friend is just not on! Many Pakistanis have reached to point where they don't give a toss anymore of anyone's feelings. We have shown to the world that we are ready for cricket so please let's only talk cricket.

I actually agree that the BCB are playing games - I think they are afraid of a Two Division World Test Championship and are trying to delay until Shakib’s ban ends.

I’m just saying that even if you’re right, the risk is that taking the tone that “East Pakistanis” associate with “West Pakistanis” is a surefire way to alienate Bangladesh public opinion and fail to make the tour happen.

 

[gazza619]

If you don’t give a toss about anyone’s feelings then why should Bangladeshis give a toss about playing cricket in Pakistan.

Would the Pakistanis have done similar posturing against Australia, England? Of course, no.

Bangladesh have a right to be treated equally by ICC. If ICC can’t force Australia or England to travel to Pakistan, then they can’t force Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan, even if a Pakistani may think otherwise. It’s not a human right to have teams touring Pakistan.

So it’s a simple question. Will this aggressive approach work for Pakistan? No. As with the history suggested by [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION], Bangladesh will not cow down to such behaviour.

How would it look for BCB if they toured now, even if they get convinced that the security is good enough. It would look like they gave in to the Pakistanis demands. Do you think the Bangladeshi people will accept this?

This matter required a touch of diplomacy and PCB has been caught lacking in this again. I’ve never understood the arrogance of PCB, especially over the last decade or so.
Financially, they are one of the weaker boards, and haven’t been a top tier team either. At least before, they were one of the top teams. Now, even BCB is a financially stronger board than the PCB. But somehow they feel superior to other nations. This has bitten them so many times, and yet they refuse to learn their lesson.

I dont get what does this got to do with Pakistan being a top tier team or not. Bangladesh was, is and shall remain a no.9 ranked test team.

SL showed the desire to play test in Pak and requested the tour to be split and this request was granted. BCB had out and out refused to play test in Pak. The important thing here is the timing of this decision which doesnt make sense.

Said it before, saying it again, dont give a toss of being diplomatic here. BCB can arrange a 5 test ashes series with Afghans and become a test champion, my best wishes to them.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

I understand Aus , Eng, Nz and India nit touring because of either being from western background or rival nation or different religious nations.

Bdesh & Afg should not have any issues to tour Pak esp when SL have already done that successfully. It will also improve their test cricket better than playing against Afg/ Zim/ Ire. They should go IMO.

 

[Usman Chadda]

If you don’t give a toss about anyone’s feelings then why should Bangladeshis give a toss about playing cricket in Pakistan.

Would the Pakistanis have done similar posturing against Australia, England? Of course, no.

Bangladesh have a right to be treated equally by ICC. If ICC can’t force Australia or England to travel to Pakistan, then they can’t force Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan, even if a Pakistani may think otherwise. It’s not a human right to have teams touring Pakistan.

So it’s a simple question. Will this aggressive approach work for Pakistan? No. As with the history suggested by [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION], Bangladesh will not cow down to such behaviour.

How would it look for BCB if they toured now, even if they get convinced that the security is good enough. It would look like they gave in to the Pakistanis demands. Do you think the Bangladeshi people will accept this?

This matter required a touch of diplomacy and PCB has been caught lacking in this again. I’ve never understood the arrogance of PCB, especially over the last decade or so.
Financially, they are one of the weaker boards, and haven’t been a top tier team either. At least before, they were one of the top teams. Now, even BCB is a financially stronger board than the PCB. But somehow they feel superior to other nations. This has bitten them so many times, and yet they refuse to learn their lesson.

We don't want to play Bangladesh in the UAE, how hard is that to understand? It's not arrogance, it's logic. Something your post here severely lacks. And you very well know why not just Pakistan, but any other country, will not want to bother going to any length to play Bangladesh in Tests at a neutral venue.

 

[Geil]

Are there any Bangladesh Players or coaching staff who are going to visit Pakistan in the upcoming PSL tournament

 

[Sidilicious]

We don't want to play Bangladesh in the UAE, how hard is that to understand? It's not arrogance, it's logic. Something your post here severely lacks. And you very well know why not just Pakistan, but any other country, will not want to bother going to any length to play Bangladesh in Tests at a neutral venue.

Of course, i understand it’s not financially viable to play in UAE. But do you really think that arm twisting will help in a team touring Pakistan?

Instead why not apply diplomacy. Why not just start with the T20. If BCB did
not propose this, why can’t the PCB propose this? IMHO, PCB thinks itself as superior to BCB. That is not the case. BCB is financially better off and more professional than PCB. Also, in terms of cricket, there isn’t a huge difference anymore.

Remember, like it or not PCB needs this tour to happen more than BCB does. If The tour happens, it will further help spread the word that Pakistan is safe.

But what message is being sent to SENA by all these comments in the media? That if Bangladesh isn’t ready to tour why should any of the SENA teams risk it. If they had quietly convinced BCB to first tour for T20 and then follow it up with a test tour if comfortable, it would send a very positive message to the world.

The bigger loser in this drama is Pakistan, not Bangladesh.

 

[Harpoon]

BCB is financially better off

Can you please share the financial positions of both boards in dollar terms please?

Thanks.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Can you please share the financial positions of both boards in dollar terms please?

Thanks.

Operating income of both boards is almost same, ~ 30 million USD. Great effort by BCB to come this close for a team who just started in 2000.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Bangladesh sent their women's team without any qualms. It is indeed surprising that the men arent safe but the women are.

Mens' team is 1000x more famous. Thus they're 1000x more vulnerable.

 

[ZaudStorm]

Pakistan declared the most popular tourist destination for the world - and we have Bangladesh worried.

Kindly explain why? We have CLEARLY said that T20Is first then we'll think about Tests (similar to SL). What more do you guys want?

 

[MenInG]

Kindly explain why? We have CLEARLY said that T20Is first then we'll think about Tests (similar to SL). What more do you guys want?

When someone invites you to your house for dinner, you dont say I will come over for 30 mins and see how things are going then see if I wish to stay for the rest of it - its an insult.

 

[Mesozoic]

When someone invites you to your house for dinner, you dont say I will come over for 30 mins and see how things are going then see if I wish to stay for the rest of it - its an insult.

That is exactly what Sri Lanka did.

So, why this hue and cry for Bangladesh ?

 

[Harpoon]

Operating income of both boards is almost same, ~ 30 million USD. Great effort by BCB to come this close for a team who just started in 2000.

PCB operating income is impacted by having to host all its home game overseas. This will improve significantly with matches held at home.
But good work by BCB.

 

[Sidilicious]

When someone invites you to your house for dinner, you dont say I will come over for 30 mins and see how things are going then see if I wish to stay for the rest of it - its an insult.

If one is invited for dinner, and then they nearly get a bullet in the head at the hosts don't be surprised if people use excuses for a long time.

Bangladesh may or may not be unreasonable. But Pakistan is certainly acting unreasonably and it is impacting PCB more than BCB.

 

[MenInG]

That is exactly what Sri Lanka did.

So, why this hue and cry for Bangladesh ?

Fairly obvious? Because they were the first International side to come to Pakistan, now its been shown that its fine so Bangladesh can be thankful to SL for testing the waters and can tour Pakistan.

 

[Mesozoic]

Fairly obvious? Because they were the first International side to come to Pakistan, now its been shown that its fine so Bangladesh can be thankful to SL for testing the waters and can tour Pakistan.

That's a shallow argument to be honest.

Just because Sri Lanka found it safe , it's not necessary that Bangladesh would also deem it safe and come for a full series without assessing the security situation first.

 

[Green Patriot]

Mens' team is 1000x more famous. Thus they're 1000x more vulnerable.

An area with unstable conditions can affect anybody. Also their women's team management had plenty of time to assess the conditions and havent had anything negative to say and they should have trust in their word as well since its their own team.

 

[ahsan17]

That's a shallow argument to be honest.

Just because Sri Lanka found it safe , it's not necessary that Bangladesh would also deem it safe and come for a full series without assessing the security situation first.

These are all fairly pointless arguments, which you look at the big picture data. In 2019, Pakistan was as safe or safer than when teams used to regularly visit Pakistan. Terrorism is at a multi decade low. To me, this is the most telling data. It's almost like they are fishing for security issues now. And I would say this for all teams that don't want to tour Pakistan based on security issues.

With that being said, I mentioned in one of my previous posts that it's fine if BCB do their test your in April or May. If PCB pulls off PSL successfully, possibly followed by a SA tour, it leaves no reason for BCB to not tour.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Pakistan should have settled this diplomatically.

Let's be brutally honest.

If Bangladesh were a top tier test team like Australia and England, Pakistan would be licking their boots, using back door diplomacy and repeated visits by team officials to the country to make sure somehow they convince them to tour Pakistan.

Since Bangladeshi value in Pakistan's eyes is a below average cricket team, they are trying to muscle their way into forcing Bangladesh to play in Pakistan.

This is stupid, idiotic and downright dismal move.

Just because you are better in something doesn't mean, you get to order people around.

I would like to see how Pakistan take the same approach against England, Australia and other teams. If Pakistan take the same "no nonsense" approach against every team, I'll believe it.

 

[Abdullah719]

That is exactly what Sri Lanka did.

So, why this hue and cry for Bangladesh ?

You may not be aware, but the Sri Lanka series was always supposed to be across two legs. Initially, the Tests were meant to be first and the LOIs after Pakistan's tour of Australia.

 

[Abdullah719]

If you don’t give a toss about anyone’s feelings then why should Bangladeshis give a toss about playing cricket in Pakistan.

Would the Pakistanis have done similar posturing against Australia, England? Of course, no.

Bangladesh have a right to be treated equally by ICC. If ICC can’t force Australia or England to travel to Pakistan, then they can’t force Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan, even if a Pakistani may think otherwise. It’s not a human right to have teams touring Pakistan.

So it’s a simple question. Will this aggressive approach work for Pakistan? No. As with the history suggested by [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION], Bangladesh will not cow down to such behaviour.

How would it look for BCB if they toured now, even if they get convinced that the security is good enough. It would look like they gave in to the Pakistanis demands. Do you think the Bangladeshi people will accept this?

This matter required a touch of diplomacy and PCB has been caught lacking in this again. I’ve never understood the arrogance of PCB, especially over the last decade or so.
Financially, they are one of the weaker boards, and haven’t been a top tier team either. At least before, they were one of the top teams. Now, even BCB is a financially stronger board than the PCB. But somehow they feel superior to other nations. This has bitten them so many times, and yet they refuse to learn their lesson.

Would Australia and England keep waffling about the decision one month before a tour? Would they keep putting out random statements in the media every other day without any official communication?

If Bangladesh weren't going to tour, they should have made it clear so that both sides can move towards the next stage of this process.

Until yesterday, the possibility of T20Is first (to assess the situation) and then Tests later wasn't even discussed. They just kept saying in the media that they will only play Tests at a neutral venue.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

An area with unstable conditions can affect anybody. Also their women's team management had plenty of time to assess the conditions and havent had anything negative to say and they should have trust in their word as well since its their own team.

Sri Lankan bus attack was not your everyday terrorist attack in Pakistan, it was high profile and intentionally done for media attention. The attack on men's team would have much more impact in Bangladesh as the players are heroic figures (especially the likes of Shakib and Mortaza)

 

[Saj]

ICC will do nothing.

They will sit back and let the Boards thrash it out.

Usual tactics from a weak organisation.

 

[Shafi]

ICC will do nothing.

They will sit back and let the Boards thrash it out.

Usual tactics from a weak organisation.

India started first by bringing politics in cricket now others copying them. ICC is a super failure.