KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Bangladesh men’s cricket team will arrive in Pakistan earlier than initially planned to better acclimate and undergo additional practice sessions ahead of their ICC World Test Championship matches.
The fixtures are set to take place in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 to September 3.
Originally scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on August 17 and practice in Rawalpindi from August 18 to 20, the Bangladeshi squad will now first train at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium from August 14 to 16. They will then proceed to Islamabad to follow the previously planned schedule.
The PCB did not specify the reason for the change in plans, but the recent political unrest and violence in Bangladesh, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid and the formation of a caretaker government, may have disrupted the team’s preparations.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer expressed confidence that the extra practice in Lahore would help the Bangladesh team perform at their best. “Sports is not just about winning or losing; it’s also about camaraderie,” Naseer said. “We are pleased that Bangladesh accepted our offer for additional training days in Pakistan and look forward to welcoming them to Lahore on August 13 with our traditional hospitality.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury expressed gratitude to the PCB for the opportunity to train in Pakistan. “We appreciate the PCB’s support in allowing us additional practice time. This will definitely aid our players in adjusting to the conditions and preparing effectively for the ICC World Test Championship series,” Chowdhury stated.
This tour marks Bangladesh’s first visit to Pakistan since 2020 when they played three T20 Internationals in Lahore and a one-off Test in Rawalpindi. The team also competed in two matches of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 in Lahore against Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh is one of the seven teams that will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan, alongside Afghanistan, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
