Rishad, Rana to be moved out of Pakistan today

Escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan saw the Pakistan Super League (PSL) moved to UAE. Many of the foreign players in the league alongside two Bangladeshi stars in Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain are stranded in Pakistan following yesterday's events when a drone reached Rawalpindi stadium. The cricketers are set to be moved to be moved to a safe place today according to a statement by BCB president Faruque Ahmed.

BCB sources have confirmed to The Daily Star as well that the Bangladesh players alongside all the foreign players will be moved to UAE today.

The BCB has been keeping in touch with the two Bangladesh stars and have been in communication with relevant authorities to ensure arrangements are made for safe passage.

"The situation between the two countries has also created concerns among us as the neighboring country. Two of our players are playing the PSL. When we first got news from there, our cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees had been in constant communication. I have personally talked to PSL chairman on phone and sent messages to PCB chairman," the BCB president said in a video statement.

The cricketers have been kept together during this unprecedented scenario and they will be moved from Pakistan at some point in the day.

"Right now all the cricketers have been kept in a place, not only our cricketers, there are many foreign cricketers there. In this situation a collective effort is being made to find a solution. A meeting was held yesterday and they will try to ensure that at some point today all the cricketers are moved from Pakistan to a safe place. At the same time, the board has also communicated with High Commission officials," Faruque added.

The BCB president said that the cricketers may be moved this evening. The likely destination is UAE since the PSL itself is going to be moved to UAE. "A decision is likely going to come soon. This evening they are trying to move the cricketers elsewhere," Faruque added.

The BCB president was also concerned about two Bangladesh journalists covering the PSL. "We have talked to them and requested from the board that they be moved alongside the players. The cricket board feels that it has responsibility in this regard and we are trying so that their secure too is ensured alongside cricketers so that they can be in a safe place," the BCB president said.