The third-phase tour of the Bangladesh men’s cricket team in Karachi, Pakistan, has been postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is now thinking about postponing the team’s upcoming international games in Ireland and England.

BCB director Akram Khan, who is also the chairman of the board's Cricket Operations Committee, gave such an indication to the media yesterday.

The Tigers are scheduled for a tour of Ireland in May to play a three-match ODI series. The cricket boards of both Bangladesh and Ireland have released the full fixtures for the tour. All matches of the ODI series are slated to be held in Belfast, Ireland.

There were also plans to play a four-match T20 series in Ireland, but Cricket Ireland (CL) shifted the matches to England as the Irish stadium in which the T20 series would have been held was being refurbished. The series is now slated to be held at three different venues in England.

However, all of Europe is badly affected by the deadly coronavirus. Infected cases are being detected almost daily. Moreover, the death toll is increasing with time, especially in Italy.

British doctors have predicted that the situation in the region might be even grimmer in May–June. Considering the situation in England and Ireland, the BCB is reconsidering its decision to tour in the two countries this May.

“We will never take any decision that puts our cricketers in danger. We will take tough decisions regarding our tours in Ireland and England, if needed,” said Akram Khan.

“The problem is not just for us but for the entire world. We are ready to do whatever is required to resolve the situation,” he added.

The former Bangladesh captain said the BCB was prepared to postpone or suspend any tour or series in the interest of the cricketers’ safety.

Akram, who remains popular for his winning knock that helped Bangladesh triumph in the first-ever ICC Trophy in Malaysia in 1997, said the board would not accept any risk for even players with the lowest risk levels. “The tour in Pakistan has been postponed. Domestic cricket is closed. Let’s hope the entire world escapes the deadly danger quickly,” the 51-year-old said.

“If the situation worsens, we are ready to postpone any future series to ensure the security of the players. We will not expose them to any risk,” he concluded.