It was originally scheduled on March 10-22; but Bangladesh Cricket Board had to call off the series on the wake of Lahore terror attack. There was a stern instruction from the government that the tour should be postponed. The postponement was officially announced two days after Pakistan’s home series against Sri Lanka suffered an early demise due to the militant attack on the visiting team bus resulting in 8 deaths and serious injuries of several cricketers and administrators. The postponement also coincided with the Bangladesh’s internal political turmoil that cost the lives of more than 70 people in Dhaka.

Now BCB hopes to get approval from the government for staging the limited over series against Pakistan. On government’s advice, the schedule would be reworked. “A favorable slot would be March 26 to April 9, but it is subject to clearance from the government,” BCB's spokesman Mohammad Jalal Yunus was quoted saying on Tuesday.

The board officials told the cricket news media that the revised scheduled has been sent to the Sports Ministry’s consideration. The schedule will be finalized after a discussion between sports ministry and home ministry. The other authorities, responsible for maintaining security and providing safety to the touring players will also be involved in the discussion. State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar said, “Our country has suffered a tragic incident and things are getting back to normal slowly…Still, we have to talk with all concerned. When the Home Ministry and others give us a clear picture of the law and order situation, we can take a decision.”

It was originally a 7 match series and in its new schedule too, the upcoming cricket series against Pakistan will include two Twenty20 matches and five One-Day Internationals. Pakistan has already given their nod to the revised schedule. However, both captain and vice captain of Bangladesh team, Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza have been hired by Kolkata franchise of Indian Premier League starting April 10. The team seems to have a busy international cricket schedule ahead; with the Twenty20 World Cup in England followed by tour of West Indies and Zimbabwe.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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