Pakistan confirms Bangladesh revising tour itinerary by AFP

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Event:

Pakistan in Bangladesh 2008/09

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DateLine: 5th March 2009

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed Thursday that Bangladesh had postponed Pakistan's tour and was revising the itinerary.

 

"Bangladesh have conveyed their decision to us without giving any reason," PCB official Saleem Altaf, told AFP.

 

But he added: "We are told they are revising the tour itinerary and the series will be held after some delay."

 

The Pakistan team were due to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday to play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals from March 10-22.

 

The PCB chairman Ijaz Butt later told a news conference that Bangladesh will submit a revised plan later Thursday.

 

"Every country discusses the security situation with its government. We did ask for clearance for the tour from our government. The International Cricket Council (ICC) have asked them to implement a plan so they needed time.

 

"Bangladesh will come back to us and we (will) hopefully get a revised itinerary later Thursday."

 

Dhaka was the scene of a bloody mutiny last week by soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles that left 74 people, including 56 army officers, dead.

 

The postponement was announced two days after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in the Pakistani city of Lahore in which seven Sri Lankan players and the team's assistant coach were injured.

 

Butt said he hopes to play the New Zealand series at home but added it was too early to say anything definite about the November-December tour.

 

"I would love to host them," said Butt. "Now it's up to the security situation in Pakistan and we will discuss other options as well."

(Article: Copyright © 2009 AFP)