PCB-BCB gap covered: Shaharyar Khan

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan, who arrived in Dhaka yesterday to witness the ongoing Test series, said the “gap” that had been created following the Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to not send its national team to Pakistan in 2012 has been “covered” and that the two boards are looking for greater progress.

Talking to reporters at the end of the first day's play today, he said, “We had a problem. Bangladesh was supposed to come in 2012, they couldn't for security and other reasons and since then there was a gap. I think this gap has been covered. Bangladesh are willing to reciprocate now and we are quite happy,” said Khan.

The last few months witnessed the PCB and BCB negotiating on a number of issues. The BCB had agreed to pay a certain amount of money as compensation to the PCB and also reportedly agreed to send its women's national team to Pakistan.

The growing relationship could also mean a return for the Pakistani players in Bangladesh's domestic cricket league which, until 2012, featured a number of Pakistani players.

“There is no ban from Pakistan on these cricketers. There won't be an issue [in providing them with no objection certificates],” said Khan.

While the chairman stated that actions with regards to the team would be taken only after the series, he did come down hard on the team's fitness level.

“Our fitness levels are the lowest internationally. It's much worse than what you see from Bangladesh. The people who meet the standards are the two oldest men, Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan. We need to address this issue,” said Khan.