PCB, BCB officials to meet in Dubai after Bangladesh gets government clearance to play T20Is in Pakistan

Islamabad: Officials from the Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket boards will meet on the sidelines of an ICC meeting in the United Arab Emirates this week after Bangladesh got permission from its government to only play a short Twenty20 series in Pakistan and not the two Test matches.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said Sunday that his government has given a go ahead for a short tour to Pakistan comprising three Twenty20s. Pakistan were originally scheduled to host Bangladesh for three Twenty20s and two Test matches in January-February.

PCB chied Ehsan Mani will meet BCB boss Nazmul Hassan in Dubai. Getty Images

The PCB had proposed to Bangladesh that it could defer the T20 series, but Bangladesh must play two Test matches in Pakistan in Karachi and Rawalpindi, which are part of ICC’s World Test Championship.

“Directives from the government is to go for a short tour to Pakistan at this moment,” Hassan had said after a board meeting on Sunday. “We are always with Pakistan’s initiative to revive international cricket there but at this moment it’s not possible to stay there for a long period. I think they should consider our situation.”

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said last month that Pakistan will no longer host its bilateral Test series at a neutral venue after it successfully hosted two Test matches against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi and Karachi.

The PCB said Monday that Mani and Hassan will meet in Dubai, after which further updates will be provided.

“The Dubai meeting is a continuation of the discussion process, which the PCB has followed to reach a consensus with the BCB on its national men’s cricket team’s tour itinerary,” PCB said in a statement.

Bangladesh’s junior and women's cricket teams toured Pakistan last year, but its national men’s team has not played an international match in Pakistan since the 2007-08 season.