Bangladesh worried about security in Pakistan - Naimur Rahman

Bangladesh's players are concerned about the security situation in Pakistan ahead of their scheduled tour to the country in April, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) president, Naimur Rahman, has said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had requested the government to send a team to Pakistan to evaluate the security arrangements, but it is believed the players think the board should talk to them first before making a decision.

"We [CWAB] don't have a stance as such, but we know that the players are worried," Rahman, who was Bangladesh's first Test captain, said. "The situation is not normal there and no other team is going to Pakistan. They themselves play their home games in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The BCB are going to send the investigation team and we hope to be a part of it. If not, we will wait for the report.

"I personally believe it is not safe. The worried players haven't approached us formally, but when they do, we will take the matter to the cricket board."

The PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, had met with Pakistan's interior ministry to discuss security arrangements for the Bangladesh team. The Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that 'box security', which includes bullet and bomb proof vehicles, would be provided for the series.

"Since we have a scheduled tour on the Future Tours Programme, that's why we promised to send a security team before making any decision," BCB's media committee chairman Jalal Yunus told the Daily Star. "We are more concerned than the players about their security and safety. I think it's too early to say anything because we are yet to decide anything."

Pakistan have not hosted an international series since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009. Since then they have hosted their home series at offshore venues like England and the UAE.