Former Pakistan cricketer advises PCB to accept Bangladesh's demand

Pakistan’s former cricketer Tanvir Ahmed, in a Youtube video on Monday, advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to accept the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) demand of playing only a 'short' Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Pakistan.

The former cricketer blamed the PCB for their stern attitude which could put the T20I series against Bangladesh at risk.

“I think Pakistan has come across as a bit stern. Maybe the PCB was thinking that if Sri Lanka has played all formats in Pakistan, Bangladesh would also follow suit. But the PCB should keep in mind that even Sri Lanka, with whom they have a great relationship with, was initially only willing to come for the limited overs matches. After that, when they realised that it was safe, they decided to come for the Test matches. We should have followed a similar strategy with Bangladesh,” Tanvir said.

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Tanvir used the example of the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) which followed a slow and steady approach in bringing back cricket to the country.

“PCB should realise that even the process of holding PSL matches in Pakistan took time. The slow and steady approach helped in convincing overseas players to feel safe playing in the country. We should follow a similar approach with all teams,” he said.

The former cricketer believed that playing the T20I series in Pakistan was the best path towards convincing the Bangladesh side to play a Test series in the country in the future.

“We should have asked Bangladesh to play a T20I series first and then asked them to reassess if they want to play a Test series in Pakistan. I think the stern attitude of the PCB where they asked to play both formats or nothing was not right,” he said. “If the BCB has said no for the Test matches then the PCB should not cancel the T20 part of the series. They should be allowed to play the shortest format and should then be asked to reassess based on their experience.”

Tanvir blamed the PCB for not creating better relationships with boards around the world while urging his fans in Bangladesh to raise their voices so that the Test series in Pakistan could be played.

“The PCB is also at fault because they did not make efforts to create relationships with the other boards after 2009. I would like to request the people of Bangladesh to raise their voices. We live in Pakistan. The country is safe,” he concluded.