'Bangladesh are reluctant to play Test in Pakistan'

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been in talks regarding the possible upcoming tour of Bangladesh for three T20Is and two Tests in Pakistan in January-February 2020. The PCB CEO Wasim Khan however informed that Bangladesh do not want to play Test matches in Pakistan.  

"Bangladesh at the moment are happy to play T20s in Pakistan but they are slightly reluctant to play Test cricket -- two Test matches in Pakistan." said Wasim during a press conference at the National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday.

PCB CEO Wasim also mentioned that they have already asked the BCB as to why the board does not want to play Test matches in Pakistan even though the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already signed off the security plans submitted by the PCB for the tour. 

"I have written to Bangladesh and I have been very very strong in my response and asked them for reasons why. ICC has already signed off our security plans. That has been signed off and has been signed off for a while. Sri Lanka are going to complete two Test matches here very safely and Mashallah everything has gone well as all the security provisions have been placed. So we are asking Bangladesh this question: what is the reasons for you to not wanting to come?" said Wasim.

The BCB had however informed earlier this month that amid continued uncertainty over whether the national team would get the security clearance to tour Pakistan in January-February 2020, the board were thinking whether to propose shifting the tour to a neutral venue if they do not get the green signal from the Bangladesh government. However, the PCB CEO ruled out the possibilities of playing Test matches outside of Pakistan.

"It is not finished and it does not mean that they are not going to come. They are talking about three T20Is but for us playing Test cricket in another country is not an option now." Wasim concluded.