The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the Bangladesh men’s cricket team will arrive earlier than scheduled in Pakistan to prepare for the upcoming two-match Test series, set to begin on August 21.
The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), will be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21-25 and August 30-September 3, respectively. Initially planned to arrive on August 17 in Islamabad, the Bangladesh team will now land in Lahore on the morning of August 13.
Bangladesh will train at the Gaddafi Stadium from August 14-16 before traveling to Islamabad on August 17. There, they will hold practice sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 18-20.
The PCB had invited the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to send their team earlier, ensuring they have adequate and fair training opportunities ahead of the ICC World Test Championship matches.
“Sports is not only about winning and losing, it’s also about camaraderie. I remain confident that the extra training sessions in Lahore will allow the players to showcase their best skills and talent on the global stage,” said PCB Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer.
“We are delighted that the BCB have accepted our offer, and we look forward to welcoming the Bangladesh men’s cricket team in Lahore on August 13 with our traditional hospitality. This will allow them to have three additional days of training and practice at one of our iconic venues before proceeding to Islamabad as originally planned,” he added.
BCB Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury expressed gratitude towards the PCB for providing ample training opportunities for their national team.
“We thank the PCB for giving the Bangladesh cricket team the opportunity to have additional training in Pakistan. This will certainly help the players acclimate to the conditions and prepare better for the ICC World Test Championship series.”
This will be Bangladesh’s first tour of Pakistan since 2020, when they played three T20Is in Lahore and a one-off Test in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh also played two ACC Asia Cup 2023 matches in Lahore against Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Bangladesh is one of the seven sides that will feature in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. The other six sides are Afghanistan, Australia, England, India, New Zealand, and South Africa.
