BCB chief says Bangladesh is one of safest places to play cricket now

Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan thinks Bangladesh is one of the safest places in the world to play crickets at the moment.

Sports Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 Sept 2015, 05:57 PM
Updated : 27 Sept 2015, 06:04 PM

Cricket Australia’s Head of Security Sean Carroll flew into Dhaka on Sunday to assess the security situation.

The team delayed departure for Bangladesh following a warning from the Australian government that there was a potential security risk from militants.

He sat with two Bangladeshi detective agencies in Dhaka on Sunday.

Carroll will hold a meeting with officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, which will provide a clearer view of whether or not the Australian team will visit Bangladesh.

"Cricket Australia security chief has arrived. He will have discussions with detective agencies. They received an alert, so they are worried," BCB chief Hassan told journalists at the Australian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday.

"They are worried because the attack might only be on Australian interests," he added. "I said we know of no such thing. Specially now, Bangladesh is one of the safest places in the world to play cricket."

"They wanted to sit with DGFI, NSI. We made the arrangements sitting right here. Tomorrow, there will be a meeting with the home minister. There, we will sit with all those who [are related to security]."

Neither CA nor BCB mentioned anything about postponing the series. Hassan sees no reason why it should be pushed back.

"They are talking about Australian interests. We have security plans… I see no reason why it should be delayed. But I don't know what information they have. They didn't tell me yet."

Bangladesh government has dismissed Australia's security concerns.

Earlier, Hassan said he was "surprised" by Australia's decision on Saturday.

The Australians delayed their planned departure after Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a warning on Friday that militants in Bangladesh could be planning an attack on tourists.

The DFAT, which provides travel advice to Australians planning to go abroad, in its notice said, "There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh.

Steven Smith-led Australia were supposed to reach Dhaka on Monday for a two-Test series.

The first Test was scheduled for Oct 9 in Chittagong and the second on Oct 17 in Dhaka. A three-day warmup against BCB XI on Oct 3 had also been scheduled in the tour itinerary.

The last time Australia toured Bangladesh was in 2011. The teams have not played a Test between them since April 2006.