Pakistan-Bangladesh cricket series: Pakistan cricket team discusses hoisting Pakistani flag during practice in Bangladesh
The hoisting of the Pakistani flag by the Pakistani cricket team during practice at the Mirwar Cricket Academy Ground in Bangladesh has been widely criticized and debated in Bangladesh.
Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board has not commented on the matter, the Pakistan Cricket Board has said that the team has been flying the flag in practice sessions for the past few months.
Many critics on social media have referred to the historical tensions in Pakistan-Bangladesh relations, saying that the purpose of hoisting the flag during practice is to convey a "political message". However, many people want to stay in the game mode.
However, this is not the first time that Pakistan has done so. The Pakistani flag was hoisted in the field during practice during New Zealand's visit to Pakistan in September.
"The process was introduced by head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, According to " Pakistan Cricket Board media manager Ibrahim Badis.
Earlier, Pakistan's flag was hoisted during the practice of Pakistan's Under-16 and Under-Nineteen teams.
After Misbah-ul-Haq, Thaqleen Mushtaq has recently taken over as the acting head coach of the Pakistani cricket team.
After becoming the head coach of Pakistan cricket team, Thaqleen Mushtaq started his practice by hoisting the flag in the home series against New Zealand. The same thing happened in the T20 World Cup after that.
Saqlain Mushtaq had said during the T20 World Cup that "this team represents the country and the flag makes it feel like 220 million people are with us."
The Bangladesh Cricket Board's media department has said it will not comment on the matter.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board does not have any specific rules and regulations regarding flag hoisting in field or practice during international cricket. Flags of countries participating in bilateral series are also waved during matches around the world. Before the start of the competition, the players of both the teams stand on the field and sing the national anthem of their respective countries.
During the 2014 Asia Cup tournament in Mirpur, the Bangladesh Cricket Board banned spectators from carrying foreign flags in the stadium. However, the ban was lifted a day later due to strong criticism in the international media.