ECB to give final call on Bangladesh tour
English security
delegation just observing the
situation
Sports Reporter
The ECB security delegation cited the ongoing security inspection in Bangladesh as the routine check-up but disclosed that the final call on the Englands upcoming tour in the country will come from the board.
The delegation visited Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on the second day of their visit yesterday. The ECB team along with some BCB directors and high officials first inspected the BCB Academy premises and then went to the main ground. Thereafter they called on Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at his office and expressed their satisfactory over Bangladeshs cooperation. They also held meeting with the security entities.
The delegation will prepare a report on the security condition of Bangladesh after inspecting the venues and meeting the Government high officials and security forces. Their report will be vital for the ECB to decide the fate of the tour as England are scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on September 30 for a tour comprising of three ODIs and two Tests. The tour also includes few warm-up matches.
ECB director of cricket operations John Carr, member of the delegate, said that the visit is a part of their routine check-up and the board will take the final call after getting the report from the delegation.
It is always our routine to visit all countries before we tour. We are here for three days, seeing all the facilities hotels and cricket grounds. We are meeting with the security providers. We are grateful for the BCB and government for their cooperation and assistance. We have been here for more than 24 hours now. We are heading off the Chittagong tomorrow (Friday), Carr told the reporters at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Carr along with the ECBs security advisor Reg Dickason and Professional Cricketers Association chief executive David Leatherdale reached Dhaka on Wednesday after completing their inspection in India where England will travel following their scheduled tour to Bangladesh.
Even though Australia pulled out a scheduled tour here in the last year citing security concerns, Bangladesh hold a very good record in hosting let it be an ICC event of bilateral series. In the recent past the BCB hosted the ICC U19 Cricket World and also the Asia Cup Twenty20 2016. Both the events were completed brilliantly and the ICC had appreciated the Bangladesh oraganisers immense sincerity and effort. England U19 team was part of the World Cup.
We are aware very much of the provisions of the recent ICC events. Reg Dickason has been with the team in Bangladesh before. We are aware of security provisions in recent times provided by the Bangladesh government, said Carr.
Carr however refused to reveal the findings after spending two days in the country. He said ECB will make it public after getting their report.
We wont be saying anything specific about findings. We have to go back and report to the ECB before anything is made public, he added.
The ECB representatives earlier visited the British and the Australian High Commissions, met local security agencies. The England raised concern over security following the terrorist attack in Dhaka on July 1.
