Bangladesh not to play in Pak until 2012

Bangladesh has ruled out playing in Pakistan until 2012 but insisted that a busy international calendar, not security fears, is the reason for the decision.

Dismissing chances of the Bangladesh team touring Pakistan for a one-day or Test series in 2011, the President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Mustafa Kamal said the national team is not in a position to come here before 2012.

"Pakistan and Bangladesh should definitely play, there is nothing wrong in it. I had a fruitful meeting with the PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt in this regard recently but next year we will only be sending either our under-19 or academy team to Pakistan," said the BCB chief in an interview to 'News One' television channel.

"May be in 2012, we shall be in a position to play in Pakistan," Kamal added. Kamal made it clear that his board didn't have any security fears about playing in Pakistan . "It is only because of the tight schedule of the national team, touring Pakistan next year is highly unlikely. We don't see any law and order issue in Pakistan at all. If law and order would have been the issue, then how come we would be sending our under-19 team to Pakistan?" he questioned.

He also said that relations between the two boards were normal and their was no misunderstanding since Bangladesh scrapped a one-day series at home against Pakistan in March 2009 after the terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

Kamal said series was not held on the advice of the Bangladesh government and the matter was closed.

Pakistan, however, has bright chances of hosting Zimbabwe for a one-day and Twenty20 series next year after they return from a tour of the West Indies in June.