Bangladesh is Unsafe, Cricket Australia Call Off Tour
An independent security assessment confirmed there is a risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting Australian nationals, said a statement from Cricket Australia.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Thursday that due to concern about the safety and security of the Australian Test team, it has been forced to postpone the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said that recent advice from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and CA's Head of Security about an increasing security risk for the Australian team in Bangladesh meant this month's matches could not proceed.
An independent security assessment confirmed there is a risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting Australian nationals.
"This has been a very difficult decision. Following the most recent information from Australian Government agencies and our own security advisors, we have decided that, regrettably, we have no alternative but to postpone the tour," Sutherland said.
"Over the last few days we have sought to obtain as much information as possible about the risks for Australians travelling to Bangladesh.
"We had hoped that the security concerns would fade, but unfortunately the advice we have received from government, our own security experts and independent security advisors has clearly indicated that there are now high risks to our people should they make the trip.
"We have worked tirelessly to try to find a way for the tour to proceed, but in the end it was simply not possible.
"Given the situation, we have now advised the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council of our decision. We understand that this decision will be very disappointing for the cricket community in Bangladesh.
"However, from an Australian perspective, the safety of our players and officials is our highest priority. We will work with the BCB to reschedule the tour as soon as possible.
"Cricket Australia and the BCB both exist to stage international cricket. It is therefore so disappointing that external influences have affected a tour that many Bangladeshis and Australians were looking forward to."
© AFP
Bangladesh Not Amused
In a statement on Thursday, the BCB said it was "dismayed at the apparent attempt by certain quarters in trying to project Bangladesh as an unsafe place based on unsubstantiated and vastly exaggerated data or incidents which have no relevance to cricket or the Bangladesh-Australia Test series." (Australia's FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Bangladesh Also in Doubt)
The Board claimed: "Bangladesh have a proud and established track record in hosting the highest level of international cricket including elite events like the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20.
"It is worth mentioning that during the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 (March-April 2014), when the risk which was assessed by Australia was of a higher level to what is at present, safety and security was successfully provided to 24 men's and women's teams including the Australian men's and women's squads as well as to officials and guests who arrived for the event.
"It was a far greater challenge to host international cricket and provide full-proof safety and security during that period for the Bangladesh Government and the BCB which was handled astutely and professionally."