Bangladesh plan for Pakistan tour

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Mustafa Kamal, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), has said a security committee will visit Pakistan in January with a view to fulfilling a tour of the country in April 2012.

Pakistan last hosted a Test match at home in March 2009, since when security issues have meant playing 'home' series in neutral venues.

Kamal revealed the news in a statement issued by the BCB following a meeting in Dhaka with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials Mr. M. Zaka Ashraf, Chairman and Mr. Subhan Ahmad, COO.

He said: "[Over the last] year, I have been discussing with some of the Cricket Boards on how to bring back international cricket in Pakistan and to demonstrate that we are genuinely taking steps in this direction my Board today agreed to form a security committee to visit Pakistan in January 2012 to review their security measures so as to ensure proper security arrangements are in place prior to arrival of the Bangladesh team in Pakistan. My Board further agreed that Bangladesh cricket team will visit Pakistan in April 2012 as per ICC's Future Tours Programme. I hope this way slowly and gradually international cricket will come back to Pakistan."

The prospect of Bangladesh's proposed tour of Pakistan will delight fans starved of international cricket.

The BCB and PCB have brokered a deal whereby Bangladesh's Academy players will receive assistance and reciprocal tours involving the 'A', Academy, Under-19 and women's teams will be undertaken.

Meanwhile, the PCB have endorsed Kamal as their nomination to be the next president of the ICC. Under the ICC's rotation policy, it is the PCB's and BCB's turn to jointly nominate a candidate.

Commenting on this announcement Kamal said "It is a matter of pride and a privilege to receive PCB's support on my nomination. I will try to live up to the expectations of not only the people of Bangladesh but for Pakistan as well and also the entire cricketing fraternity. The support that PCB has given me demonstrates the close relations our two Boards enjoy and it is not the first time that PCB has come forward to support us. Who could forget that it was Pakistan that proposed Bangladesh's entry into Test cricket. We are indebted to them. Pakistani players have played in Bangladesh and have helped our cricketers a lot. We will also try to support Pakistan in any way we can."