"The matter before the court, prima facie, does not contain any legal issue and it is extremely disturbing to note for Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan cricket fans and the world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to block a bilateral cricket series. PCB has been extremely disappointed due to the creation of this new situation," the statement added.
The PCB had managed to get a confirmation from Bangladesh Cricket President Mustafa Kamal on Sunday leading to the announcement that Bangladesh would play a ODI and a Twenty20 International match in Lahore on April 29 and 30 respectively. Bangladesh would have been the first Test-playing nation to visit Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore killing six Pakistani policemen and a van driver and wounding five of the visiting players.
The news of suspension of the tour by Bangladesh came just as the national selection committee was meeting in Lahore to announce the Pakistan team for the two matches. TV channels quoted PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf as saying that he was extremely disappointed with the news from Bangladesh. "We are surprised that a purely cricketing matter has been dragged into the courts," Ashraf was quoted as saying.
"We will give a detailed reaction later on. But it is a big setback for Pakistan cricket and fans who were ready to welcome the Bangladesh team," Ashraf said. PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad confirmed that they had been officially informed by the chief executive of the BCB that their team would not tour Pakistan due to the court order.
"We are very disappointed and surprised by this development because we had begun all preparations to host the Bangladesh team including providing them Presidential level security," Ahmad said. "We don`t know the exact position but things should be clear soon. But it would not be possible to host this series after the four weeks period given by the court due to other commitments," he said.
Additional Attorney General of Bangladesh, M K Rahman told the media in Dhaka that the High Court had ordered Bangladesh`s cricket authorities to explain why the tour was scheduled to go ahead despite concerns over the team`s safety. "The court has asked the Board to explain in next four weeks and during this period the team can`t go to Pakistan," he said. On Tuesday night, the Punjab government had submitted a comprehensive security plan to the PCB regarding the Bangladesh team`s tour and that was to be sent to the ICC for approval.
According to the security plan prepared by DIG Operations Punjab police, Sohail Khan around 2000 policemen were to be deputed for the protection of the Bangladesh team at the airport, hotel and ground with 80 officers on horseback to man the roads and snipers on the buildings of the route between the hotel and ground.