Bangladesh Confident that Australia Tour will Go Ahead
Bangladesh Cricket Board Officials are positive that Australia's tour will go ahead after fool-proof security assurances were given.
Bangladesh cricket officials are confident that Australia's two-Test tour to the country will proceed ahead after they were assured of fool-proof security. (Bangladesh Tell Australia To Not Worry About Security)
In a report on ESPNCricinfo, Cricket Australia's secutiry manager Sean Carroll met Bangladeshi intelligence agency officials to discuss the security set-up ahead of the tour. Carroll had already met Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan, CEO Nizam Uddin Choudhury and BCB vice-president Mahbabul Anam. (Australia's Test Team Delay Departure to Bangladesh)
Australia had delayed the departure of their Test team to Bangladesh amid security concerns raised by the Australian government that militant groups might target the tourists. Led by new skipper Steve Smith, the team were due to depart from their various home ports on Monday but that has been put on hold.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland had remarked, "We received advice from DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on a revised security plan for the tour," Sutherland had said on Saturday.
"We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number one priority and won't be compromised. We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team's travel arrangements," Sutherland remarked.
However, Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury assured the Australian team that there would be no safety issues. "There is no alarm regarding security as far as we are concerned and we have taken the opinion of all relevant agencies because safety of the Australian team is our priority as it is with all visiting teams to Bangladesh."
Australia will be touring Bangladesh for a Test series after nine years. During their last tour in 2006, Australia won the Tests 2-0.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, are enjoying their most successful year, having defeated Pakistan, India and South Africa in bilateral ODI series. Australia last visited Bangladesh during the World Twenty20 where they were knocked out in the first round after losing to India, West Indies and Pakistan.