ICC should find a way out

Cricket can�t be hostage for such sort of threats. The ICC needs to devise a plan on what kind of security plan should be in place to run the cricket Nazmul Hassan Papon BCB president

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon stressed upon the requirements of finding a solution to how the cricket can continue amid the threats when every countries are under some sort of risk.
He believes the cricket can’t be hostage for such sort of threats. He said the ICC needs to devise a plan on what kind of security plan should be in place to run the cricket.
“The basic point is elsewhere. I will try to explain to everyone that if one merely stops the game of cricket just because of a threat in a place where there hasn’t been any records of terrorist activities, then cricket will never take place. We have to find a solution so that we can play despite these threats. I will try to explain this to the ICC,” he said yesterday.
“I don’t think these things can be solved through CEO correspondence. I believe that it’s best not to talk here and just speak at the ICC with all the countries. ICC has to play a role, because I believe that nothing has happened here that cricket has to be stopped here. We have to try to explain this to the ICC. One can’t stop cricket because of this.”
He reiterated that Bangladesh are as safe for cricket as it was in the past and so a mere isolated threat couldn’t hinder the progress of cricket in the country.
“My thinking is completely clear. If Australia team would have come here, nothing would have happened and I never expected them not to come. When they gave the decision, I believed that Australia would come and not play in Chittagong or that they would modify the length of the series. So I won’t blame Cricket Australia,” he said.
“I believed that this was a governmental issue. It can be a concern for any country. Our problem with Australia is that they have a very busy schedule. Australia had previously decided not to play as well, but never did they express their sadness after postponing the tour. This in itself shows that the cricket board wanted to tour. The problem is we don’t know when Australia can come because of their busy schedule.”
When the concern is raised whether Zimbabwe would come in the scheduled series in Bangladesh in the wake of postponement of two consecutive international series here, Papon said he wants a permanent solution of this problem.
“I think it’s possible to bring them. But I don’t want to bring a team just for showing it to the ICC and the Bangladeshi people. I want a permanent solution,” he said pointing out that there is no relation of cricket politics for the current situation here.
“It’s not the Cricket Board’s politics. I don’t think its targeting cricket. I feel that there definitely is a conspiracy, which is a local thing, but I don’t think there’s any relation with this outside the country. But there is very little chance for them to succeed if they target cricket.”
Some foreign coaching staffs of Bangladesh applied for leave which also raised a concern as some countries issued an alert for their citizens in Bangladesh. Fielding coach Richard Halsall has already went to his country England after the board granted his leave.
Papon said the issue is nothing to do with the threat issue.
“I met with the head coach (Chandika Hathurusingha)  yesterday, he didn’t give any observation, but because Australia series hasn’t happened someone has asked for leave, we haven’t discussed this, we will discuss it today and take a decision.”

ICC should find a way out

Cricket can�t be hostage for such sort of threats. The ICC needs to devise a plan on what kind of security plan should be in place to run the cricket Nazmul Hassan Papon BCB president

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon stressed upon the requirements of finding a solution to how the cricket can continue amid the threats when every countries are under some sort of risk. He believes the cricket cant be hostage for such sort of threats. He said the ICC needs to devise a plan on what kind of security plan should be in place to run the cricket. The basic point is elsewhere. I will try to explain to everyone that if one merely stops the game of cricket just because of a threat in a place where there hasnt been any records of terrorist activities, then cricket will never take place. We have to find a solution so that we can play despite these threats. I will try to explain this to the ICC, he said yesterday. I dont think these things can be solved through CEO correspondence. I believe that its best not to talk here and just speak at the ICC with all the countries. ICC has to play a role, because I believe that nothing has happened here that cricket has to be stopped here. We have to try to explain this to the ICC. One cant stop cricket because of this. He reiterated that Bangladesh are as safe for cricket as it was in the past and so a mere isolated threat couldnt hinder the progress of cricket in the country. My thinking is completely clear. If Australia team would have come here, nothing would have happened and I never expected them not to come. When they gave the decision, I believed that Australia would come and not play in Chittagong or that they would modify the length of the series. So I wont blame Cricket Australia, he said. I believed that this was a governmental issue. It can be a concern for any country. Our problem with Australia is that they have a very busy schedule. Australia had previously decided not to play as well, but never did they express their sadness after postponing the tour. This in itself shows that the cricket board wanted to tour. The problem is we dont know when Australia can come because of their busy schedule. When the concern is raised whether Zimbabwe would come in the scheduled series in Bangladesh in the wake of postponement of two consecutive international series here, Papon said he wants a permanent solution of this problem. I think its possible to bring them. But I dont want to bring a team just for showing it to the ICC and the Bangladeshi people. I want a permanent solution, he said pointing out that there is no relation of cricket politics for the current situation here. Its not the Cricket Boards politics. I dont think its targeting cricket. I feel that there definitely is a conspiracy, which is a local thing, but I dont think theres any relation with this outside the country. But there is very little chance for them to succeed if they target cricket. Some foreign coaching staffs of Bangladesh applied for leave which also raised a concern as some countries issued an alert for their citizens in Bangladesh. Fielding coach Richard Halsall has already went to his country England after the board granted his leave. Papon said the issue is nothing to do with the threat issue. I met with the head coach (Chandika Hathurusingha) yesterday, he didnt give any observation, but because Australia series hasnt happened someone has asked for leave, we havent discussed this, we will discuss it today and take a decision.