Pakistan offers to host Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures amid security concerns in India and venue readiness in Sri Lanka
Pakistan offers to host Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures amid security concerns in India and venue readiness in Sri Lanka
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan has officially expressed its interest in hosting Bangladesh’s scheduled matches for the upcoming World Cup, following Bangladesh’s decision to opt out of traveling to India due to security apprehensions.
According to reliable sources, Pakistani authorities have proposed that if Sri Lanka is unable to prepare its venues in time due to the short notice, Pakistan’s international cricket facilities are fully equipped and ready to step in as hosts.
The development follows a formal announcement by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stating their refusal to send the national team to India for the mega-event. The BCB has cited significant security concerns regarding the safety of their players on Indian soil as the primary reason for this stance.
While Sri Lanka was initially considered an alternative neutral location, the time constraints associated with preparing world-class venues have opened the door for Pakistan to offer its services.
Sources within the Pakistan cricket circle indicate that the country’s top-tier venues are already in a state of high readiness for World Cup-level competition.
The proposal suggests that Pakistan can provide a seamless transition for the tournament schedule, ensuring all safety and logistical protocols are met for the visiting Bangladeshi squad.
“If Sri Lanka cannot accommodate the matches due to the limited timeframe, Pakistan’s venues are available and ready to host,” a source familiar with the proposal stated.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) now holds the final authority on whether to relocate the matches. The global governing body is expected to weigh the security assessments provided by Bangladesh against the logistical feasibility and readiness of the alternative venues offered by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The cricketing world now awaits the ICC’s official verdict, which will determine where the high-stakes fixtures for the Bangladesh team will ultimately take place.
