BCB has not expressed any security concerns: PCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has affirmed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was permitted to deploy their security experts for their team’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan for a two-match Test series later this month. The PCB confirmed that while the BCB is free to bring its security specialist, it will not be able to provide a dedicated team security manager.
A representative from the PCB elucidated that security managers or consultants are now considered integral to the support staff, similar to positions such as media manager or team doctor. The spokesperson further observed that, during events like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and other bilateral series, teams have routinely travelled with security managers. The spokesperson also emphasized that the decision to include a security consultant for the upcoming Test series rests with the BCB, and noted that, to date, the BCB has not communicated any security concerns to the PCB.
“Security managers or consultants are now considered part of the player support personnel just like a media manager or a team doctor. Even at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and other bilateral series, teams have travelled with security managers. If the BCB wants to include a security consultant as part of their touring team management for the upcoming Test series, then it is their prerogative. But as of now, the BCB has not expressed any security concerns with the PCB,” stated a PCB spokesperson as quoted by Cricbuzz.
As part of international norms, PCB shared security plan with BCB: PCB spokesperson
Furthermore, the spokesperson conveyed that adhering to international protocols, the PCB had already disseminated the security plan along with the Memorandum of Understanding to the BCB the preceding month and had not elicited any inquiries or supplementary requests. Besides, he also remarked that while the PCB would provide personal security agents as part of its state-level security arrangements, it, like other countries, could not offer a dedicated team security manager.
“In fact, and as part of international norm, the PCB shared the security plan along with the MoU with the BCB last month and received no queries or additional requests. The PCB will provide close protection officers as part of state-level security, but like any other country, the PCB cannot provide team security manager,” mentioned the spokesperson.
Incidentally, the Bangladesh A are scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on August 7, seemingly without the presence of a security consultant. The team is set to participate in two four-day red-ball matches and three fifty-over white-ball encounters.
