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Pakistan offers to play Bangladesh in inaugural Test

Pakistan has offered to play Bangladesh in their inaugural Test match after the country is granted Test status from the International Cricket Council, officials said on Tuesday.

"We are hopeful they will get the ICC approval and we have assured them of our fullest, unconditional support," Pakistan Cricket Board chairman lieutenant general Tauqir Zia said.

"Once they get the full Test status from the ICC we would like them to play us either in Dhaka or in our country," Zia said.

Bangladesh is bidding to become the 10th Test playing country when the ICC discusses the South Asian country's application at its annual meeting in London from June 21-24.

Earlier in the month, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, proclaimed that Bangladesh was almost certain to be welcomed into the Test arena at the forthcoming ICC meet.

Bangladesh sports minister Obaidur Rehman and BCB secretary Ashraful Haque visited Pakistan last week. Zia said the delegation was assured of Pakistan's support.

India, Australia and South Africa have also backed Bangladesh's claim.

"We have warm brotherly relations with Bangladesh and will go all out to help boost their cricket," Zia said, adding that Pakistan had doubled its Asia Cup participation fee to help Bangladesh in hosting the event. Zia will leave for Dhaka to witness the on-going Asia Cup and chair the coming Asian Cricket Council meeting.

Bangladesh beat Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup held in England which boosted their chances of gaining full membership. They attained one-day international status in 1998 after winning the ICC Trophy, a qualifiying event for the World Cup.