Pakistan get government clearance to participate in Asia Cup, World T20 in Bangladesh

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday received the government's clearance to send the national team to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20. "Pakistan will be going to Bangladesh for these two important events," a senior PCB official told PTI.

Pakistan had expressed apprehension over sending their cricket team to Bangladesh after anti-Pakistan protests in Dhaka over the trial of war-crime criminals and their sentencing by the High Court. "We have been given clearance to take part in both the events. We had sent our security officer to inspect the arrangements for our team during the Asia Cup and he has submitted a constructive report," the official said.

"As far as security of our players is concerned, we have been assured by the organisers that all our requirements would be met. So, we are satisfied," he added.

Relations between the Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket Boards have been strained for the last two years after the BCB twice called off short tours to Pakistan at the last moment due to security reasons. In a tit for tat response, the PCB also did not allow its players to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) last year.