Pak-Bangla ODI series official: ICC

The ICC has agreed to recognise the planned one-day series between Pakistan and Bangl­adesh as an official one despite granting special dispensation to the two boards to post local match officials in the bilateral series.

A senior PCB official said the series would be an official one with three ODIs to be played in Karachi and Lahore from April 15-27 tentatively if the Bangladesh Cricket Board gets clearance from its government to send team to Pakistan.

“We are expecting the Bangladesh board to come back with its response this week. We are hopeful of them agreeing to tour Pakistan for the series as their security delegation went back satisfied with the security arrangements and drills we demonstrated to them when they visited Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore last week,” chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmad said.

Ahmad made it clear that while it was decided the matches would be played at Karachi and Lahore, the dates would be decided once the BCB confirmed the tour.

The PCB is keen to host two matches in Karachi and one in Lahore, while the BCB wants it the other way.

Ahmad also said PCB had stressed on the importance of restoring international cricket activities in Pakistan during the chief executives meeting of the ICC last week.

“The ICC agreed to the special dispensation for the series,” said Ahmad.

The ICC last week made it clear that it would allow non-neutral officials for the series in certain cases.