Bangladesh reassures West Indies cricket team after riot

Bangladesh has beefed up security around the visiting West Indies cricket team and sought to allay players' fears after riots outside their hotel, officials and police said on Wednesday.

The violence in the capital Dhaka occurred when demonstrators from the opposition Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami clashed with police on Tuesday, leaving dozens injured, including seven police officers.

"We have assured the West Indies team management and security personnel that there was nothing to worry about the team's security," Mesbahuddin Serniabat, security director for the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told AFP.

"They were concerned with the reports of violence on Tuesday around the hotel the team is staying. We have explained them the details of the violence," the retired colonel said.

The touring side, which is playing two Tests, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match, has been nervous about Bangladeshi security after home fans stoned their bus during the 2011 World Cup, which Dhaka co-hosted.

A local police officer, Jaan E Alam said: "Extra security measures have been taken around the hotel area after the clashes."

The West Indian bus was stoned in March last year after Bangladesh were bowled out for just 58, their lowest ever score.