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Bangladesh likely to tour Pakistan in Apr 2012

Posted by methun

According to international media outlets, the Bangladesh cricket team is expected to tour Pakistan in April next year.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf has spent the last two days in Dubai trying to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) how important it is for them to support the restoration of international cricket in the country.

During his talks with BCB president Mustafa Kamal, Zaka also proposed that Pakistan play its league matches of a planned tri-nation tournament to be hosted by the BCB in Pakistan.

"The tournament will involve Pakistan and Sri Lanka besides the hosts and the idea is that Pakistan should be allowed to play at least two of its league matches in Pakistan against the two other teams," one source said, reports PTI.

Kamal told reporters that the Bangladesh board was not in a position to take a decision on sending its team to Pakistan and this can only be possible after the ICC gives its security clearance for the tour.

Zaka said he had assured the ICC that Pakistan would have foolproof security for the Bangladesh team and all security measures would be put in place with consultation of ICC experts and advisors.

"We will have bulletproof vehicles for the teams and the routes on which teams travel between their hotel and ground would be sealed off when they are passing through it," he said.

Zaka, who took over as PCB chief from Ijaz Butt last month, said he had emphasised on international teams to start touring Pakistan during his meetings with the ICC and Bangladesh officials.

"The meetings were very positive and there will be follow-ups with all stake holders. We are willing to work closely with the ICC to ensure touring teams can regain confidence about playing in Pakistan," he added.

Kamal said that while his board felt for Pakistan cricket and wanted to help them they will have to go by ICC and government advice and clearance.

"We want to help Pakistan cricket as they have always helped and supported us. But we need to follow certain ICC protocols," he added.

Relations between the two boards soured after the militants attack on the Sri Lankan team in March, 2009 in Lahore after which Bangladesh also joined the other Test-playing nations in supporting a move to move the 2011 World Cup matches out of Pakistan due to security issues.

Pakistan is due to tour Bangladesh from November 26. It is their first full tour since 2002. On other hand, Bangladesh last visited Pakistan in 2008 for a one-day series.

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