Ashraf will now “reconsider” Pakistan’s bilateral ties with Bangladesh

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has expressed his infuriation towards Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to delay the country’s tour to Pakistan for a second time.

Ashraf even went as far as saying that the PCB would “reconsider” its bilateral ties with the BCB since they were sick and tired of the Bangladesh board constantly giving them their word and then backing out at the last minute.

However, Ashraf made it extremely clear that the PCB had never forced the BCB into touring Pakistan.

“If they don’t want to come its their own decision and we didn’t force them,” Ashraf told ESPNcricinfo.

According to Ashraf, Bangladesh had confirmed the tour with the PCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) “three times and still they backed off. Now their own reputation is at stake. If they don’t want to respect their bilateral relationship then we will also respond in the same manner.”

In an act of defiance, Ashraf banned all Pakistan players from participating in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and hinted that their could be more sanctions to come unless the BCB keep their word and send the national team to Pakistan.

“We will take a principled stance on the BPL,” Ashraf said. “But one thing is sure: our players might not be free as we are making our own arrangements from next year.”

Ashraf noted that PCB-related business would consume most of the Pakistan players’ time and “they may not be bothered for other things”.

After getting confirmation from the BCB for the first time, Ashraf started making preparations for the tour, including finding sponsors for the series and a sponsor for the title.

The PCB also moved all scheduled domestic first-class Quaid-e-Azam matches between January 7 and 22 away from the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in order to make the facilities available for Bangladesh.

Ashraf stated while that the series may have been “almost confirmed” at one point, he found it “strange” that Bangladesh had pulled out for a second time.

However, despite this setback, Ashraf was adamant that international cricket’s revival in Pakistan was still on track.

“Soon we will manage to get a better team to tour Pakistan than Bangladesh,” he said.