Islamabad - The Bangladesh Cricket Board have rejected an invitation from their counterparts in Pakistan to tour the country for a T20I series that would be the first visit since 2008.
Cricket returned to Pakistan as the hosted the PSL final in
Lahore in March 2017 but the BCB are reportedly not satisfied with the security
arrangements and will not travel.
The PSL final was staged under extensive security with both
teams afforded bullet-proof buses and a five-tier security cordon stretching
2kms set up around Gaddafi stadium.
The BCB's media and communication committee chairperson Jalal
Younis told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had a BCB security team visit Pakistan
during the final of the PSL T20 last month. The reports were not satisfactory
enough due to which we had to pull back. Even the ICC had a fact finding team
visit the country and did not see any development as of yet."
It is understood that both parties are considering hosting
matches at a neutral venue while the BCB have rejected any notion for paying
compensation to the PCB having already paid $300 000 back in 2015.
PCB chairperson Shaharyar Khan commented: "We want to host
Bangladesh but its chances are not bright.
"Some of our friends think they may tour but I feel they will not because of political concerns more than security concerns. But during ICC meeting I will speak to my Bangladesh counterpart and may re-negotiate our tour to Bangladesh this year and ask them to compensate us for not touring Pakistan."