Bangladesh cancel cricket tour of Pakistan because of safety concerns

(BBC) Bangladesh have cancelled their tour of Pakistan in January because of security concerns.

The Tigers were set to be the first international side to tour Pakistan since armed militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009.

“Bangladesh will not visit Pakistan for now,” said Bangladesh Cricket board president Nazmul Hasan.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf said on 21 December the Tigers had confirmed a visit in January 2013.

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“We have noticed the security situation in Pakistan has not improved significantly, rather deteriorated”

Eight Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka players were wounded when gunmen fired on their coach as they were being driven to a stadium in Lahore.

“We have noticed the security situation in Pakistan has not improved significantly, [it’s] rather deteriorated,” added Nazmul.

“In this circumstance, we think it will not be very wise to tour. We have conveyed our decision to Pakistan already. We are observing the situation. If the situation improves we will keep our commitment.”

Nazmul said that it was a very difficult decision for them to make.

“We have made a commitment to travel to Pakistan. It was even in the minutes of an ICC meeting that we will go,” he said.

“So it was almost mandatory for us. But we believe that the security of players and officials are the most important thing.”

Bangladesh had also agreed to send a team to Pakistan in April 2012 to play a Twenty20 match and one-day international in Lahore.

However, the Dhaka High Court issued a restraining order stopping Bangladesh from playing in Pakistan due to security concerns.

The BCB president added that the team were ready to face possible repercussions from Pakistan, who are determined to bring international cricket back to the country.

“We are aware that Pakistan will not be happy with our decision. They might not send players to our domestic cricket and they might not co-operate with us in many other fields. We have to accept it,” he said.