PCB fires back at BCB's request to government for 'security consultant' for Pakistan tour

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit back at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for their request for a security consultant for the Pakistan tour. The governing body stated that if the Bangladesh team wants to bring their security personnel they can bring them in as it's their call.

Bangladesh National Cricket Team is all set to tour Pakistan for the two-match Test series later this month. The Test series will begin on 21st August at the Rawalpindi Stadium followed by the second match to be played in Karachi from 30th August. Both the games will be part of the ICC Test Championship.

However, ahead of the tour, the Cricket Board of the nation requested the Bangladesh government to provide them with a security consultant. This is because there always has been a security threat in Pakistan due to the political tensions, especially after the attack on the Sri Lanka team long back.

Although all the players from the Bangladesh Cricket Team have agreed to go to Pakistan, the board of the country stated that they are concerned about the security of the team and after assurance from Pakistan, they have fixed the tour.

Bangladesh Cricket Board also stated that they want a security consultant to be with them so that the personnel maintain communication with them at all times regarding security issues and the players can focus on Cricket without any outside tensions.

With BCB's request for a security consultant, a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson stated that security managers are part of the team's support staff, and if Bangladesh wants to take them along they can. He stated:

“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 travelled with security managers.

"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."

PCB shares the security plan along with the MoU with the BCB last month - PCB Spokesperson

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson also stated that Bangladesh Cricket Board hasn't expressed any security concerns. He revealed that they have shared entire security plans with the opposition and so far they haven't raised any queries. He added:

"But as of now, the BCB has not expressed any security concerns with the PCB. In fact, and as part of international norms, the PCB shared the security plan along with the MoU with the BCB last month and received no queries or additional requests," he concluded.

A PCB spokesperson said: “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.
“If the…

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Pakistan Cricket Board soon will be naming the squad for the series after the consultation with Jason Gillispie. It is learned that they are keen to include fresh faces in Mohammad Huraira and Sahibzada Farhan in the team. While the likes of Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Imam-ul-Haq, and Nauman Ali are unlikely to retain their place in the team.