Naeem Niazi
LAHORE, Aug 10 (APP):The Bangladesh men’s cricket team will reach Pakistan four days prior to its original schedule on August 13 (Tuesday) to take part in the two ICC World Test Championship tests in Rawalpindi and Karachi between August 21 and September 3.
The amended schedule will provide the Tigers an opportunity to have extended practice sessions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) at the Gaddafi stadium between August 14 and 16 and then move to Islamabad on August 17 and practice at the Rawalpindi stadium till the start of the first test on August 21 at Rawalpindi cricket stadium.
Earlier, the Bangladesh cricketers were scheduled to land in Islamabad on August 17 and practice during the next three days at the Rawalpindi stadium prior to the test match but the unforeseen circumstances in Bangladesh cut down team’s practice opportunities and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was obliged to extend an invitation to arrive early and have adequate and fair training opportunities ahead of the ICC World Test Championship matches.
Bangladesh are due to take part in two fixtures in Rawalpindi and Karachi from 21-25 August and 30 August-3 September respectively.
PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Salman Naseer said sports is not only about winning and losing, it’s also about comradery. I remain confident that the extra training sessions in Lahore will allow the players to showcase their best skills and talent on the global stage.
“We are delighted that the BCB have accepted our offer and we look forward to welcoming the Bangladesh men’s cricket team in Lahore on 13 August with our traditional hospitality. This will allow them to have three additional days of training and practice at one of our iconic venues before proceeding to Islamabad as originally planned.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, in a statement said,
“We thank the PCB for giving the Bangladesh cricket team the opportunity to have additional training in Pakistan. This will certainly help the players to acclimate to the conditions and prepare better for the ICC World Test Championship series.”
This will be Bangladesh’s first tour of Pakistan since 2020 when they played three T20Is in Lahore and one-off Test in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh also played two ACC Asia Cup 2023 matches in Lahore against Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bangladesh is one of the seven sides that will feature in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Other six sides are: Afghanistan, Australia, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa.
