Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon tipped the mega event as stepping stone for youngster and stated that they are fully prepared to host the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016.Bangladesh ready to stage ICC U-19 WC
BCB chief rules out any security problem at tournament launching ceremony
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon tipped the mega event as stepping stone for youngster and stated that they are fully prepared to host the upcoming ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016.
Since 2004 Bangladesh will host the showcase event for the second time to be held in between January 27 and February 14.
Weve ample experience to organise such kind of tournament. We, Bangladesh, have hosted so many big tournaments in the past. Were prepared for the mega event of the youth, said Nazmul Hassan.
Additional major issues, which are needed for us including venues, where ICC representative already finished their inspection and expressed their satisfaction. All the venues are fully prepared with proper practice facilities, Papon told reporters at the launching ceremony of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2016 at a local in the capital. The trophy of the tournament was also unveiled during the ceremony.
A total of 48 matches will be held around eight venues. Weve done what is needed for all the teams. Now I believe we have no problem ahead of us, he added.
The BCB president tipped Bangladesh as the most secured place for cricket in the world and said that the government is offering the highest security for the teams more than other countries.
Actually the question regarding security, which was raised, still exists. Ive heard that Australia told ICC they are scared of travelling to Bangladesh. If Im asked about the security issue then Ill say that security threat is everywhere in the world. I think the security threat is also exists in other country more than Bangladesh. As per the latest information, there are security problems in America, Europe and India. And so, sports cant stop for that, the BCB boss reckoned.
Our government is providing more security than other countries. I think there is no secured place for sports than Bangladesh. Weve Asia Cup ahead. BPL is going on. If we could finish BPL, Asia Cup and Under-19 World Cup then none can say anything about security. Nobody will say that Bangladesh is not safe for cricket, he also said.
Australia had raised the question earlier. They are raising the same question. But I am sure few other countries alongside Australia can raise the matter. The ICC inspection team is satisfied. We are doing what is needed from our side and ICC. If any country raise their personal issue thats the other issue. Hopefully all the country not only Australia but also other country will come to see the security arrangement of Bangladesh, he added.
Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager (Cricket) and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara alongside Bangladesh pace duo Mustafizur Rahman (ICC U19 CWC 2014) and Taskin Ahmed (ICC U19 CWC 2012) were also present.
A total of 48 matches, including 24 in group stage and 24 in knockout stage, will be held at eight venues of the four host cities.
With all 10 full ICC member teams, who will play directly in the tournament, the next five teams- Afghanistan, Namibia, Canada, Fiji and Scotland- who are the champions of different regional tournaments-alongside Nepal, who came as the 16th team from a repechage event, are taking part in the 11th edition.
Bangladesh have been drawn in the Group-A with South Africa, Scotland and Namibia. Group-B has been formed by Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Canada. England, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Fiji have been clubbed in the Group-C, while Group-D has been comprised of India, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal.
