Pakistan more interested in Tests than T20I’s: Nazmul

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon has informed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are more interested in hosting the Test series rather than the Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh.

"We have told PCB that we want to play three T20I's and then come back and then decide on the Tests. But they are more interested in hosting the Test series as part of the Test Championship," Nazmul said to the media at a press conference on Wednesday.

The BCB wanted to know if the players were willing to tour Pakistan and senior player Mushfiqur Rahim has expressed his desire to not tour; other senior players have also expressed a similar stance according to the board president.

"Mushfiqur Rahim has not shown keen interest in wanting to tour Pakistan along with some other players. We told PCB that and in reply they said that Bangladeshi players came here to play in the PSL for 35 days and they needed to stay here longer. So if there wasn't a problem then, why is there a problem now," Nazmul added.

Nazmul did express that the official decision on whether Bangladesh would tour Pakistan and how that would be would be made by Thursday.

"By tomorrow, we can come to a decision. We have spoken to agencies and the security is good from what we have seen. But most of the coaching staff aren't willing to go although the head coach is okay to travel for the T20I's."

Nazmul also added that he would be willing to see if the PCB were willing to see if they agree to hosting one Test initially instead of the T20I's: "Hosting one Test would be a good idea since they are interested in the Tests more and it would also mean the players have to stay there for a lesser time."

The BCB chief explained that staying in Pakistan under "high security and in that environment for a prolonged period was something that the players were against" and that is the main issue here.