The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is welcome to send its own security experts for the upcoming two-Test series in Pakistan later this month. The PCB confirmed that while BCB can bring their own security expert, the PCB will not be able to provide a team security manager.
A PCB spokesperson from Lahore explained on Thursday evening, "Security managers or consultants are now considered part of the player support staff, similar to media managers or team doctors. Teams travel with security managers for events like the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and other bilateral series. If the BCB wishes to include a security consultant in their touring team management for the upcoming Test series, it is their prerogative. As of now, the BCB has not expressed any security concerns to the PCB."
The two-Test series between Bangladesh and Pakistan, part of the World Test Championship (WTC), will take place in Rawalpindi from August 21-25 and in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. The spokesperson added, "Last month, as per international norms, the PCB shared the security plan along with the MoU with the BCB and received no queries or additional requests."
Interestingly, the Bangladesh A side is set to arrive in Islamabad on August 7, apparently without a security consultant. They will play two red-ball (four-day) and three white-ball (50-over) matches.
"The PCB will provide close protection officers as part of state-level security, but like any other country, the PCB cannot provide a team security manager," the spokesperson mentioned.
The Bangladesh men's team last toured Pakistan for a bilateral series in January-February 2020 and was also in Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year.