Cancellation of Aussie visit unfortunate

The fact is bangladesh is perhaps one of the safest places, at least in the region, to play cricket. Bangladesh was appreciated globally for its successful and safe organising of major cricketing events, like the World Cup, T020 championships, Asia Cup, etc.

To the great disappointment of millions of sports loving Bangladeshis, the Australians have pulled out of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh apparently due to concerns over players’ safety. Australia's senior team also postponed their scheduled tour of Bangladesh in October last year, citing the same reason. This cancellation is not only a blow to cricket in Bangladesh but also may affect other sectors. This decision by Australia will send a message– not really based on facts–that Bangladesh is not a safe place to visit.
The fact is Bangladesh is perhaps one of the safest places, at least in the region, to play cricket. In Pakistan players were shot at and injured, in India riots stopped Test matches and in Sri Lanka bomb blasts in front of hotels where visiting players were staying killed dozens of people. Nothing remotely resembling those incidents happened in Bangladesh ever since the country earned its Test status. On the contrary, Bangladesh was appreciated globally for its successful organising of major cricketing events, like the World Cup, T020 championships, Asia Cup, etc. The various bilateral series too were played without any unpleasant incidents. In the highly successful BPL tournament, the safety of all the overseas players was ensured.
Rather ironically the Australian national soccer side visited Bangladesh only a few month’s back and the Australian football authorities have never shown any qualms about visiting Bangladesh. The natural question is whether there is a separate set of standards regarding the security of Australian footballers and cricketers? Officials and players from visiting countries have been quite lavish in praising the hospitality and safety measures enforced by Bangladeshi authorities.   
We do understand Cricket Australia’s concern about the safety of their players. However, Bangladesh has promised to provide VVIP security to foreign players. The authorities have tried their best to convince Cricket Australia team that players’ security is virtually guaranteed. Unlike most countries of the region there is no insurgency-type situation in Bangladesh. The law enforcing agencies have largely contained the fundamentalist elements through close monitoring and regular drives in their hideouts.
The standard of cricket in Bangladesh has seen an upward curve in the recent years. On its day the Tigers can beat any side of the world. The under-19 team will provide players for the senior team in the future. The tournament which begins on January 17 is a thus crucial one for us. There is still time and we hope that Australia will reverse its decision and take part in the championship.

Cancellation of Aussie visit unfortunate

The fact is bangladesh is perhaps one of the safest places, at least in the region, to play cricket. Bangladesh was appreciated globally for its successful and safe organising of major cricketing events, like the World Cup, T020 championships, Asia Cup, etc.

To the great disappointment of millions of sports loving Bangladeshis, the Australians have pulled out of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh apparently due to concerns over players safety. Australias senior team also postponed their scheduled tour of Bangladesh in October last year, citing the same reason. This cancellation is not only a blow to cricket in Bangladesh but also may affect other sectors. This decision by Australia will send a message not really based on factsthat Bangladesh is not a safe place to visit. The fact is Bangladesh is perhaps one of the safest places, at least in the region, to play cricket. In Pakistan players were shot at and injured, in India riots stopped Test matches and in Sri Lanka bomb blasts in front of hotels where visiting players were staying killed dozens of people. Nothing remotely resembling those incidents happened in Bangladesh ever since the country earned its Test status. On the contrary, Bangladesh was appreciated globally for its successful organising of major cricketing events, like the World Cup, T020 championships, Asia Cup, etc. The various bilateral series too were played without any unpleasant incidents. In the highly successful BPL tournament, the safety of all the overseas players was ensured. Rather ironically the Australian national soccer side visited Bangladesh only a few months back and the Australian football authorities have never shown any qualms about visiting Bangladesh. The natural question is whether there is a separate set of standards regarding the security of Australian footballers and cricketers? Officials and players from visiting countries have been quite lavish in praising the hospitality and safety measures enforced by Bangladeshi authorities. We do understand Cricket Australias concern about the safety of their players. However, Bangladesh has promised to provide VVIP security to foreign players. The authorities have tried their best to convince Cricket Australia team that players security is virtually guaranteed. Unlike most countries of the region there is no insurgency-type situation in Bangladesh. The law enforcing agencies have largely contained the fundamentalist elements through close monitoring and regular drives in their hideouts. The standard of cricket in Bangladesh has seen an upward curve in the recent years. On its day the Tigers can beat any side of the world. The under-19 team will provide players for the senior team in the future. The tournament which begins on January 17 is a thus crucial one for us. There is still time and we hope that Australia will reverse its decision and take part in the championship.