The Barmy Army have made it certain that they will not be organising any official travel for England fans to Bangladesh. England’s squad will leave for Bangladesh on September 29, for the One-Day International (ODI) and Test series, reports CricketCountry.
England will be the first team to tour Bangladesh since the attack in a cafe in Dhaka in the month of July. While England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had confirmed it in August that the tour will go ahead after a security review, ODI captain Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales decided to withdraw from the tour, and now Barmy Army have followed in their footsteps.
The Barmy Army will not be visiting Bangladesh in an organised group, although they might share their travel advice if asked by individuals wanting to go. A Barmy Army statement said, “Behind the scenes we have been liaising with the ECB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and have now received advice from the latter. We have been supplied with a list of hotels in Dhaka and Chittagong that will receive protection from the Bangladeshi Police and been told that England supporters will be afforded their own segregated area within the stadium.”
“However on the issue of escorts to and from stadiums (where due to local traffic conditions supporters will be most vulnerable to attack), we have been supplied with the contact details of a private security company, the implication being that any extra security will have be at supporter’s own expense. Whilst we are grateful that the BCB are taking an interest, we feel these measures do not yet go far enough to persuade us to go against FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) advice,” the statement further read.
“It is a matter of great regret that we feel unable to endorse travel to Bangladesh. Those of us lucky enough to have visited this country on previous tours have lasting and fond memories of a warm welcome, friendly locals and wonderful food. Perhaps the greatest pleasure being able to mix freely with the general population, particularly in and around the stadiums. We were also able to wander and explore the teeming cities of Dhaka and Chittagong without fear. FCO advice specifically warns against such activities,” read the statement.