Bangladesh Women’s national cricket team is set to tour Pakistan soon. BCB President Nazmul Hasan MP has announced the formal decision of the board. Ministry of Youth and Sports earlier conveyed positive government decision. It was only a mere formality that BCB would have endorsed it.

Earlier this month, a security team from Bangladesh visited Lahore and Karachi to assess the safety arrangements. Karachi's Southend Cricket Club was put forward as a venue since the players can stay at the ground. All matches will now be played in Karachi where team can stay in the dormitories of stadium complex.

PCB has also confirmed Pakistan Government agreement to ensuring the highest level security for our girls usually reserved for visiting head of the state. Earning such attention for Bangladeshi women in Pakistan is a great going. Circumstances alter cases. This is not only a mere bilateral cricket exchange Bengal tigress are going there as torch bearers for opening the international cricket windows for the region in Pakistan.

Bangladesh will play two ODIs and two T20 matches during the tour. BCB has already announced a 15 member’s squad to be led by ace all-rounder Salma Khatun.Janak Champaka Gamgee is the coach of the team and reputed cricket personality Shafiqul Haq Heera will be the manager .Bangladesh will soon host South Africa at home. This series will assist in a great way to prepare for that series and later for the World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh Womans Team: Salma Khatun ( Captain), Jahanara Alam, Farzana Huq Pinki, Rumana Ahmed, Lata Mandal, Ayesha Rahman Sukhtara, Panna Ghosh, Sharmeen Akher Supta, Fahima Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Ritu Moni, Nigar Sultana, Khadijatul Kobra, Sharmeen Sultana and Nahida Akhter.

There had been genuine concerns of cricket lovers of Bangladesh about the safety of Bangladesh team in Pakistan where security situation is still not under total control of Pakistan Government. International cricket has not started yet as usual. Even the last visit of Zimbabwe had a last minute incident. But at the same time it is true that Cricket in the subcontinent in general and cricket in Pakistan especially is suffering a great deal for absence of international cricket in Pakistan for a long time. Some other full member countries like India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have to take the initiative and break the ice. But at the same time all out security must be ensured in not taking additional unmanageable risks.

In social media and in some print media discussions we find issues other than cricket which in our opinion is neither relevant not appropriate. Non cricketing issues must not be mingled with cricket. Cricket and politics do not go together. Whenever politics intrude into cricket the game suffers. As is the case with international cricket being absent from Pakistan for a long time. Pakistan and India are not into bilateral contest for some years. Cricket in both countries is suffering. Cricket admirers are missing Asian Ashes contest.

Bangladesh is no longer a part of Pakistan. We are a sovereign equal nation. Our flag will fly in Pakistan soil; our national anthem will be played before the match. Our strong woman’s team has every opportunity of winning the matches and winning the series. We hope Pakistani people will embrace our team and show the traditional hospitality .On the other hand each member of our team as ambassador of Bangladesh will uphold our glorious image.

We have also noted with appreciation that a great cricket personality Ex Captain and experienced cricket thinker Shafiqul Haq Heera has been made Manager of the team. BCB senior vice-president Mahbubul Anam, women's wing chairman MA Awal Chowdhury and the board's security head will accompany the team to Pakistan. Pakistan cricket team regularly visits Bangladesh and Pakistani cricketers have fan base here.

We hope Pakistan authority and PCB will be true to their words and assurances in ensuring bubble tight security. Rest of the cricket world will observe with rapt attention the development of events. Certain areas of Pakistan still have influences of armed miscreants and terrorists. The entire country is still not within complete control of Pakistan authority .Incidents of terrorism and anarchy is almost a routine there.

Bangladesh as SAARC member has demonstrated unprecedented gesture of friendship through agreeing in sending its women’s team to Pakistan while India is still hesitating to play against Pakistan even on neutral venues. We hope Pakistan will reciprocate the gesture in cricket and other areas of mutual concern. Let us hope that Salma and her squad get back safely after playing in a historic ice breaking series there. In any case a safe and successful visit will go a long way in the return of international cricket to Pakistan in a great way. That will be wonderful news for cricket in the region and world cricket.

BDST: 1715 HRS, SEP 26, 2015
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