Nationwide curfew casts doubt over Pakistan’s arrival in Bangladesh for Test series

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

In a fresh development, the prevailing political unrest in Bangladesh has hindered the team’s preparations for the forthcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan. In an effort to reduce casualties and contain the intensity of the conflicting factions, an indefinite nationwide curfew has been imposed. As a result, officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are uncertain about when the team will next be able to convene for a practice session.

Bangladesh were slated to commence their technical training session at Dhaka’s Shere Bangla National Stadium on Sunday, under the stewardship of head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha.

“We are not sure when we can hold the practice because there is a curfew for an indefinite period. Our administration is looking after the matter and we can get a better understanding of the situation after they brief us about the present condition,” a BCB official told Cricbuzz.

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Meanwhile, a BCB official indicated that the Bangladesh A team’s tour of Pakistan remains scheduled as planned. However, they conceded that, given the prevailing circumstances, no assurances could be provided regarding the tour’s certainty.

“The ‘A’ team’s tour is on till now, but at the same time, you cannot say anything with certainty with the present political situation. But, we are hopeful that they will be able to fly on the scheduled date,” said the BCB official.

Former Test skippers, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, alongside Shahadat Hossain, Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Nayeem Hasan, and Hasan Mahmud, have been selected for the Bangladesh A team for their forthcoming four-day fixture against the Pakistan Shaheens. This tour is intended to serve as a preparatory exercise for the forthcoming two-match Test series.

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The Bangladesh A squad is scheduled to depart on August 06 and will engage in two four-day matches as well as three fifty-over games against the Shaheens, from August 10 to August 27, in Islamabad. They are expected to return to Bangladesh upon the conclusion of these fixtures.