Bangladesh cricket chiefs have postponed Pakistan’s seven-match tour of the country scheduled to start next week, following government advice.
The decision, announced on the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Web site, comes two days after a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan Test team in Pakistan city Lahore killed eight people and left as many injured. BCB’s succinct statement on Thursday read: “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed Pakistan’s Tour of Bangladesh 2009 as advised by the Government authorities.” Pakistan were scheduled to play two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals in Bangladesh, starting with a Twenty20 match in Dhaka on March 10. Officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 16-man squad for the tournament on Wednesday, but had also asked for government permission for the team to travel to Bangladesh. Bangladesh are also facing political turmoil following the mutiny of border security forces group Bangladesh Rifles in the capital that left more than 70 dead. Officials of the BCB had joined the worlwide cricket community in strongly condemning the attack on Sri Lanka’s squad. They said: “The BCB is deeply concerned at this unprecedented attack on cricket which is a symbol of hope and aspiration for millions in the Sub-continent and around the world. “We are saddened by the unfortunate events and express solidarity with the players, match officials and victims of the attack. “The BCB has been in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council and has voiced its alarm at the incident.”
