Two Bangladeshi cricketers — Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain — are currently in Pakistan to take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), while the Bangladesh national team is also scheduled to tour Pakistan soon.
Given recent geopolitical tensions, particularly following terrorist attacks in Kashmir’s Pahalgam and subsequent military escalation between India and Pakistan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated it is giving the players’ safety the “highest priority.”
According to reports, India carried out strikes at nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the early hours of Wednesday. In retaliation, Pakistan claims to have downed five Indian fighter jets. Islamabad has reported at least 26 deaths and 46 injuries due to Indian missile strikes. Indian authorities, on the other hand, say Pakistani shelling has killed 10 people and injured 48 in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
With the situation on edge, the BCB has issued a statement affirming its full attention is on the safety of Nahid, who is playing for Peshawar Zalmi, and Rishad, who is with Lahore Qalandars. The board says it is in “constant communication” with both players.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board is closely monitoring the security situation over the past 24 hours. The safety and well-being of our players currently participating in the Pakistan Super League is the BCB’s highest priority,” the board stated.
“We are in regular contact with Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana. BCB President Faruque Ahmed is personally overseeing the matter, and has spoken directly with PSL CEO Salman Naseer and Rishad to ensure their safety and peace of mind,” it added.
The BCB also mentioned that coordination is ongoing with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad to ensure the players’ security.
The PSL final is scheduled for May 18. Right after that, the Bangladesh national team is expected to arrive in Pakistan for a five-match T20I series, beginning after a preceding series in the UAE. Players like Litton Das and Mustafizur Rahman are slated to arrive in Pakistan on May 21. However, given the rising tension, there is now a slight cloud of uncertainty over that tour. The BCB has not made any official statement yet regarding potential changes to the plan.
