 "The BCB has said that it will need government nod to travel to Pakistan. Image: AFP")
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing one setback after another in its attempt to bring cricket back to normalcy amid the ongoing Indo-Pak tensions. After suspending the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 indefinitely last week following the escalation in the India-Pakistan conflict, the board is now reportedly struggling to convince foreign players to return.
Last week’s drone attack just outside the Rawalpindi stadium forced PCB to postpone PSL 2025 and send overseas players to Dubai. The situation raised serious security concerns as there were also reports that claimed an attack took place at a Pakistani military base from where foreign players had left the country just hours ago. Since then, India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire.
A new headache for PCB
Now, reports suggest that overseas cricketers are reluctant to travel back to Pakistan as PCB has confirmed to restart the league. Adding to the PCB’s troubles, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated that it will wait for a green signal from its government before confirming the team’s T20I tour to Pakistan later this month.
“Once we receive official communication about the dates and venues [of the tour], we will forward it to the government. The BCB is not the decision-maker in this matter. If the government agencies and our embassy declare Pakistan safe for travel, only then will we proceed,” BCB’s media committee chairman Iftekhar Rahman was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“In our previous meeting, we agreed that any such situation would be referred to the foreign and home ministries. Once we get clearance from all relevant bodies, we will finalise the tour. Security concerns were more significant in the past, but Pakistan has proven it can ensure safety. Still, given the current circumstances, we need to assess whether the situation across the country is stable before sending the team,” he added.
The tour was originally scheduled from 25 May to 3 June but it has come under uncertainty after the PSL final was moved to 25 May, the same day the two sides were supposed to play the first T20I. While a revised schedule has reportedly been proposed by the PCB, with matches now starting on 27 May, the BCB has made it clear that they will not travel without consulting the government.
On this side of the border, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also announced the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 after a week-long suspension. The IPL will restart on 17 May and will run until 3 June. The BCCI is also facing the same issue of some foreign players unwilling to travel back, especially from Australia.