Pakistan vs Bangladesh Tests Archives

PCB reacts to BCB seeking security consultant for Test tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday, broke silence on the reports regarding the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seeking a security consultant for their upcoming Test tour.

Earlier today, it was reported in Bangladeshi media, that the BCB has approached the federal government to provide them with a security consultant.

“Look providing safety is up to them (Pakistan) and we go there because they assure us to provide state-level security and after they assured us about it, the tour was fixed,” BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters on Wednesday.

“At the same time we have requested the government to give us a security consultant during the tour who will maintain communication with them at all times regarding the security issues,” he said.

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Meanwhile, a PCB spokesperson from Lahore, said it is BCB’s right to have a security consultant before affirming that the touring party has not expressed any security concerns.

“Security managers or consultants are now considered part of the player support personnel just like a media manager or a team doctor. Even at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and other bilateral series, teams have traveled with security managers,” the PCB spokesperson said.

“If the Bangladesh Cricket Board wants to include a security consultant as part of their team management for the upcoming Test tour, then it is their prerogative. But as on now, the BCB have not expressed any security concerns with the PCB.

“In fact, and as part of international norm, the PCB shared the security plan along with the MoU with the BCB last month and received no queries or additional requests.”

It is worth mentioning here that the Bangladesh cricket team will touch down in Pakistan on August 17, while the first Test match will commence on August 21.

The second match of the series will be played from August 30 to September 03.

It is pertinent to mention here that the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025.

The Green Shirts boast an undefeated record against Bangladesh, securing 12 victories out of 13 games, while one match ended in a draw.

READ: BCB confirms Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for Pakistan Tests

BCB confirms Shakib Al Hasan’s availability for Pakistan Tests

MIRPUR: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday, confirmed the availability of their star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan.

Jalal Yunus, Chairman of the Cricket Operations Committee of the BCB claimed to have spoken to Shakib Al Hasan regarding his availability and also that the all-rounder expressed his willingness to feature in the forthcoming series against Pakistan.

“We spoke with Shakib, and he is available for the Pakistan series. If he doesn’t have time, he will leave directly from Dubai, or he might come to Dhaka to practice for a day or two before joining the team. He will be available for the Pakistan series,” said Yunus.

Remember, Shakib Al Hasan has been in hot water due to being tight-lipped on the recent anarchy in the country.

He was recently questioned about it by a fan in the GT20 Canada 2024 but Shakib, in response, asked, “What did you do for the country?” His remarks further enraged the cricket fans.

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When probed about the incident, Yunus asserted that he was unaware before stating that Shakib should not have made such comments.

“I haven’t seen the video, so it wouldn’t be right for me to comment. However, what he did was certainly not correct. Everyone has contributions in different areas, and questioning Shakib’s contributions wasn’t appropriate.” Jalal said.

It is worth mentioning here that the Bangladesh cricket team will touch down in Pakistan on August 17, while the first Test match will commence on August 21.

The second match of the series will be played from August 30 to September 03.

It is pertinent to mention here that the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025.

The Green Shirts boast an undefeated record against Bangladesh, securing 12 victories out of 13 games, while one match ended in a draw.

READ: Mushfiqur Rahim named in Bangladesh A squad for Pakistan tour

Haseebullah praises Sarfaraz Ahmed for guidance in red-ball camp

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Emerging wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan was all praises for senior campaigner Sarfaraz Ahmed for guiding him in the red-ball camp ahead of the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

In a video that went viral on social media, Sarfaraz Ahmed was seen passing on his experience to Haseebullah and gave the youngster valuable tips regarding wicketkeeping.

Reflecting on his experience with Sarfaraz, Haseebullah spoke highly of the former Pakistan captain and shared that he was awestruck with the senior’s humbleness.

“I have rarely encountered someone as sincere as Saifi bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed],” said Haseebullah.

“No matter what I asked him, he never refused me and always helped me selflessly. Saifi bhai not only helps me but continues to guide me,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan are set to embark on a busy home international season with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

The Test series will commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi before concluding on September 3 in Karachi.

Pakistan will host England for three Tests in Multan (7-11 October), Karachi (15-19 October) and Rawalpindi (24-28 October), and the West Indies will visit for two Tests in Karachi (16-20 January) and Multan (24-28 January).

Additionally, Pakistan will host an ODI tri-series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled in Multan from 8-14 February.

Bangladesh last played a Test in Pakistan in February 2020, while England swept the three-Test series in December 2022. The 2025 series will also mark the West Indies’ first Test tour to Pakistan since November 2006 when Brian Lara captained the side against Inzamam-ul-Haq men.

READ: Former captains to settle dispute between Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen

WATCH: Babar Azam sweats it out at gym ahead of Bangladesh Test

Pakistan’s white-ball captain and star batter Babar Azam engaged in extensive fitness training ahead of the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh.

The Test series, scheduled to commence on August 21 is part of the World Test Championship (WTC) and is crucial for the Green Shirts for their qualification for the final.

Following the home assignment against Bangladesh, Pakistan will host England for a three-match Test series and thus Babar is focused on maintaining his physical strength and fitness, highly essential to match the needs of the longest format.

In a video shared across social media platforms, Babar Azam was seen doing several exercises in a bid to remain prepared for Pakistan’s busy international season 2024-25.

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A post shared by Babar Azam (@babarazam)

Earlier this week, Babar Azam met Australia’s leading power-hitting coach Shannon Young in Lahore.

The meeting took place at a local cricket club in Lahore during Young’s private visit to Pakistan. Babar Azam consulted Young about how to enhance power-hitting abilities to cater to the demands of modern-day cricket.

Following the meeting, the Australian power-hitting coach Young backed Babar amid criticism following the national team’s dismal campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

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In an interview with the local media outlet, Shannon Young termed Babar Azam a world-class player before asserting if a player of his calibre was in Australia, they would back him instead of criticising him.

“He [Babar] is well; he is a world-class player. If there was a player like Babar [Azam] in Australia, we would have been supporting him instead of criticising him,” said Young.

“In Australia, we back them in, and we say they’ve been world-class players, they’re gonna be world-class players again.

“I think sometimes the passion tips over that these guys carry so much expectation through Pakistan’s one of the best players in the world; he’s gonna be fine.”

READ: Bowlers-led Zimbabwe beat India in T20I series opener