PCB concerned about security in Bangladesh

The PCB is gathering information from Pakistan's foreign office as well as the ICC regarding the security situation in Bangladesh, with an eye on its team's participation in two multi-nation events due to take place in Bangladesh in the next three months.

In light of an ongoing diplomatic row between the governments of the two countries, there are concerns in Pakistan over their team's participation in the Asia Cup and the World T20 in Bangladesh. The issue concerns the trial of 1971 war criminals in Bangladesh, which is taking place after more than four decades since Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan.

"The ICC has written back saying the situation is being monitored," Najam Sethi, the head of the PCB's interim management committee, told ESPNcricinfo. "We have also been in touch with our foreign office and asked them for advice and updates on the situation in Bangladesh."

It is not known whether the ICC received the communication from the PCB. However, it is understood that the ICC had written to all to all 16 participants in the World T20, due to take place in March-April, to update them about the security situation in Bangladesh. The ICC's letter to all participants is an indication that the recent unrest in Bangladesh is a cause for worry.

The PCB had written to the foreign office in order to get updates from the Pakistan embassy in Dhaka. There has, however, been no communication between the PCB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Asian Cricket Council, the organisers of the Asia Cup.

BCB's acting chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told ESPNcricinfo that the board had received "nothing in particular" from the ICC about the PCB's concern. "We are corresponding regularly with the ICC as tournament host of the World Twenty20 regarding many issues including security, which is a routine matter, but nothing specific has been discussed in the case of PCB or any other cricket board. I have also talked to the ACC CEO [Syed Ashraful Huq] this evening, and he hasn't informed me of any concern of the PCB."

It is expected that there should be a clearer picture of the situation in Bangladesh after the first week of January. Bangladesh is to host the Asia Cup from February 24 to March 7, and the WorldTwenty20 from March 16 to April 6.