THE Bangladesh Cricket Board plans to send the national cricket team to Pakistan for three-match one-day international series. The BCB
chief earlier led a nine-member delegation to inspect the security situation in Pakistan and expressed satisfaction.
However, violence in Pakistan does not seem to show any sign of a let-up. As more militant groups emerge and the number of suicide attacks increases, the concern for security in the country keeps deepening.
In 2009 the Pakistan government guaranteed the Sri Lankan Cricket Board that it would ensure maximum security. However, the Sri Lankan team bus was ambushed by gunmen in Lahore when players were travelling to the Gaddafi Stadium for the second Test; six security personnel were killed and eight players wounded. No Test-playing nation has visited Pakistan since.
The BCB plan may be linked to securing support from the Pakistan Cricket Board for its candidate in the election for the next president of the International Cricket Council. However, security of cricketers is certainly more important than the BCB candidate getting the post of the ICC president.
Of course, a stable Pakistan and return of international to Pakistan are desirable but the reality seems to be that the country is still in turmoil. In such circumstances, it may not be wise to send the cricketers to Pakistan.
Md Yeasir Arafat Nadim
University of  Dhaka