DOT Desk
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon yesterday said cricket matches between India and Pakistan should be held more often because their games are still viewed widely and such games could help expand cricket in the sub-continent, reports The Independent.
Papon, who assumed the charge of Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) rotating presidency, also said: “If you ask me, the games between Pakistan and India are still viewed the most. People want to watch their matches. From that point of view, their games should be held.”
“Matches are still being organised through Asia Cup. Emerging Cup is being held, though it’s not a national team’s game. But matches are being played. The main thing is Pakistan will not play in India and vice versa. This is the problem,” Nazmul told the media after Bangladesh recorded their biggest win by thrashing the West Indies in Dhaka yesterday.
“The matter will be on the agenda of discussion. We have to see how can we resolve their problems and bring them to the cricket field again.
Games will be held between them, I’m sure. Everybody wants them to play. If you ask the Indian cricket board, it also wants so. But there are some things which are beyond control. We’ll try our best so that games can be held,” he added.
Bangladesh Emerging Team will travel to Pakistan to play Group-B matches of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup on December 4.
In this regard, the BCB president said they have taken a decision to send the team to Pakistan at the ACC meeting after getting assurance of the highest level of security arrangement.
Asked about the next national team’s games against Pakistan, Papon said they are scheduled to play their next series against Pakistan at a neutral venue. “But if we get ICC clearance, we have no problem to play in Pakistan because we will not be the only team to tour Pakistan,” he added.
Though West Indies and Zimbabwe, along with Sri Lanka, travelled to Pakistan to play a bilateral series, Bangladesh has no plan to play any international match in Pakistan yet. “We’re yet to decide on playing any international game in Pakistan,” he added.