May 11, 2025: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently in active discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about the upcoming tour to Pakistan, scheduled for later this month. The tour, which is set to begin on May 21 with five T20 matches in Lahore and Faisalabad, is shrouded in uncertainty due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and the suspension of major cricketing events in both countries.
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The situation has been further complicated by the recent disruption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the wake of military clashes. On Thursday, a scheduled IPL match between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was abandoned midway following air raid alerts in neighboring Indian cities Jammu and Pathankot. Later, on Friday, the PCB postponed the PSL, which had initially been scheduled to be held in Pakistan. The PSL is now set to be moved to the UAE due to the ongoing security concerns and the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
The BCB has expressed its concerns about the safety of players and support staff in light of the heightened security risks. A statement released by the board on Saturday emphasized that the safety of its players remains the top priority, with the board carefully considering the situation before making any final decisions regarding the tour. “The BCB wishes to reiterate that the safety and security of its players and support staff remain the Board’s highest priority. All decisions concerning the tour will be made with careful consideration of the current situation in Pakistan,” the statement read.
The Bangladesh team is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on May 21 to participate in the T20 series. However, ongoing border tensions have left the BCB in a precarious position, unsure whether it can safely proceed with the tour. Adding to the uncertainty, several Bangladeshi players, including all-rounders Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, were a part of the PSL before it was postponed. Both players returned to Bangladesh on Friday and are expected to leave for Dubai next week to join the Bangladesh squad for a series of two T20 matches against the UAE. Due to Bangladesh’s upcoming commitments, it is unlikely they will return to the PSL even if the tournament resumes soon.
Moreover, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), which has a strong relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is reportedly reluctant to approve PCB’s request to host the remainder of the PSL in the UAE, given the tense situation between the two neighboring countries.
While the PCB has acknowledged the efforts and support from various stakeholders to continue the PSL under difficult circumstances, the future of the tournament remains in limbo. As of now, the PCB is looking to resume the competition, but the resumption of the tournament hinges on the evolving geopolitical situation.
In the midst of this uncertainty, a glimmer of hope emerged when India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement on May 10. Although no official announcements have been made, this development has raised hopes for the resumption of the IPL and could potentially lead to a shift in the situation surrounding Pakistan’s cricketing commitments.
As the BCB and PCB continue their discussions, all eyes are now on whether the Bangladesh team will proceed with its tour to Pakistan, or if safety concerns will force a delay or cancellation of the series.