ECB security delegation to meet Bangladesh home minister

ESPNCricinfo: The ECB’s security delegation, which is expected to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday, will have meetings with local security agencies, the UK and Australian high commissions and Bangladesh’s home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, the BCB has said.

The delegation includes ECB’s Security Advisor Reg Dickason, PCA Chief Executive David Leatherdale and ECB’s Director of Cricket Operations John Carr. While this is a routine visit before England’s scheduled arrival on 30 September, for a tour comprising three ODIs and two Tests, it has gained significance following the terror attack in Dhaka on 1 July, which left 20 people dead.

The BCB’s Media Chairman Jalal Yunus said that the board would facilitate meetings with other top officials if the delegation made a request. The visit is likely to extend to three days. 

“We have been in constant communication with the ECB for the past few months,” Yunus said. “Their meeting with the British and Australian High Commissions, the home minister and the security agencies will be of importance.

“Besides, if they want to meet any other top officials of the government, we will get them the appointment. Terrorism is not an issue only in Bangladesh but in many parts of the world like London, Paris or India. But that does not mean sports will be stopped or hampered.”

The BCB is confident of the senior team’s tour after England’s Under-19 team participated in the World Cup in January this year. Australia had withdrawn their Under-19 side from the tournament and had earlier postponed a tour scheduled for October 2015 due to security concerns.