Ex bowler Nawaz says security 'not only reason for postponement of Bangladesh's tour of Pak'

Karachi, Apr 22(ANI): Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has said the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to postpone its tour of Pakistan was not based purely based on security reasons and believes some political pressure may have played a role.

"I had personally attended the press conference in which the Bangladeshi security delegation had shown their appreciation for the arrangements when they visited Pakistan so I really don't think that was an issue," PakPassion.net quoted Nawaz, as saying.

"Don't also forget that the Bangladeshi PM had left the ground before awarding the trophy to Pakistan at the Asia Cup. Later on, we saw agitation on the streets in Dhaka and in that respect, the Supreme Court order was a logical conclusion to this drama. Security was not the real Issue for the postponement of the Bangladesh series," he added.

Nawaz, however, termed the development a temporary setback, and added that ties between both boards would not be affected in the long term.

"Personally, I don't think this is as huge an issue as some would make it - I don't think that there has been any significant damage to relations between the 2 boards. These things happen and the PCB as well as the BCB should learn lessons and move on," he added.

Nawaz said the PCB should not be criticized for the postponement of the tour as they seem to be doing well in terms of looking ahead at their own plans.

"I think they are doing well to plan ahead. We have news of the Pakistan Premier League all set for October of this year. In addition there is also talk of a mini series with Afghanistan and Zimbabwe so a lot is being planned," Nawaz added. (ANI)