The Bangladesh Cricket Board said it is actively discussing about the upcoming white-ball series with the Pakistan Cricket Board. Bangladesh is expected to reach Pakistan on May 21 and play a five-match T20I series in Lahore and Faisalabad; however, the border tensions between India and Pakistan have raised concerns. “The BCB wishes to reiterate that the safety and security of its players and support staff remain the Board’s highest priority,” an official statement on Saturday said.
“All decisions concerning the tour will be made with careful consideration of the current situation in Pakistan, ensuring they align with the best interests of the team and Bangladesh cricket, the statement further added.
Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain said on Saturday that he and the other overseas players were relieved to reach Dubai after the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was put on hold amid the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. PCB announced the postponement of the PSL on Friday.
“Foreign players like Sam Billings, Daryl Mitchell, Kushal Perera, David Wiese, Tom Curran… all of them were so frightened… Landing in Dubai, Mitchell told me that he would never go to Pakistan again, especially in this kind of scenario. Overall, they were all horrified,” said Rishad at Dubai Airport, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
He also mentioned how difficult it was to console worried English cricketer Tom Curran, who started crying. “He (Tom Curran) went to the airport, but heard that the airport was closed. Then he started crying like a little child, that it took two or three people to handle him,” he added.
Rishad was a part of the Lahore Qalandars team and, alongside pacer Nahid Rana (Peshawar Zalmi), were the two Bangladeshi players participating in PSL 2025.
“Alhamdulillah, we have reached Dubai after overcoming a crisis, and I am feeling well now,” said Rishad. “After landing in Dubai when we heard that a missile struck the airport 20 minutes after we took off from the airport. The news was scary as well as sorrowful and now after reaching Dubai we are feeling relieved,” he said, adding that his family spent some sleepless nights,” he added.