New Delhi:
The Bangladesh women's cricket team will be touring Pakistan for the first time since 2015 and this follows on the heels of the Sri Lanka men's team currently touring the country for three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals. The women's team will be playing three Twenty20 Internationals and two ODIs at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore starting on October 4. However, the Bangladesh women cricket team's Indian members of the coaching staff will not travel to the country amidst rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The tour is still subject to security checks by Bangladesh's government before it can take place. The governing body's chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP that if it goes ahead, head coach Anju Jain, assistant coach Devika Palshikar, and trainer Kavita Pandey will not accompany the side in Pakistan. But they will travel with the Bangladesh team when they play the ACC Emerging Women's Asia Cup in Sri Lanka from October 20 to 28. "We will have another team travelling to Sri Lanka almost at the same period. We've decided to send our Indian coaching staff to Sri Lanka instead of Pakistan to avoid any travel complications," Nizamuddin said. "We have started the process. Before confirming the series we are also planning to send someone to see the security arrangement for the Sri Lanka team in their ongoing series."
Also Read | World Needs To Help Pakistan To Revive Cricket After Decade Of Terrorism: Misbah-ul-Haq
The ongoing series against Sri Lanka is the first for Pakistan under Misbah-ul-Haq, the new head coach and chief selector. Misbah captained Pakistan for close to six years and in 56 Tests but he never managed to do that at home in Pakistan. Misbah played just five Tests in Pakistan and ahead of the first match, he has urged the world to help Pakistan revive their international cricket.
Also Read | Karachi Ends 10-Year Wait For International Cricket, But Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Game Rained Off
"Cricket world need to do more, not only for Pakistan but for any country where it is hit. Pakistan is a cricket-loving country and it would be injustice to deprive them of international cricket, so I hope that the world will support us more and more. Otherwise the survival of cricket will be difficult," Misbah said.
