Pakistan is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but there is uncertainty about whether the tournament will be held entirely in Pakistan or under a hybrid model. Due to ongoing security concerns, it seems unlikely that India will be able to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.
Adding to Pakistan's challenges, Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested a security advisor from its government for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, highlighting further concerns about player safety ahead of the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025.
Bangladesh is set to tour Pakistan this month for a two-match Test series, part of the ICC World Test Championship. The series will see Bangladesh playing in Pakistan despite political instability that has deterred many teams from touring.
Bangladesh's tour to Pakistan begins on August 17, with the first Test scheduled in Rawalpindi from August 21-25 and the second in Karachi from August 30-September 3.
Before the two-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Bangladesh A will arrive in Pakistan for a series of matches. They will play two four-day games from August 10-13 and August 17-20, followed by three one-day matches on August 23, 25, and 27, all in Islamabad. Bangladesh A is set to depart for Pakistan on August 6.
Jalal Yunus, Chairman of Cricket Operations at the Bangladesh Cricket Board, stated that Bangladesh players have not expressed concerns about the tour. He noted that while the board is concerned about security, they will proceed with the tour to Pakistan once they receive the necessary assurances.
"Look providing safety is up to them (Pakistan) and we go there because they assure us to provide state-level security and after they assured us about it, the tour was fixed."
"I guess you have seen in the Asia Cup that the Bangladesh team traveled to Pakistan and they provided us state-level security and we agreed to go on this tour because they assured us of that."
"You might have seen in recent times that some international teams have also visited [Pakistan] and they are quite happy with the security they provided," Jalal told reporters.