WICB asks team to leave Dhaka At the earliest
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) cancelled the Under-19 team’s tour of Bangladesh following a crude bomb explosion outside of the hotel in Chittagong where they were staying. Citing the reason ‘acting in the best interest of the safety and security of the team’ the West Indian board had taken the decision to withdraw the team from its tour of Bangladesh, said a statement sent by the WICB on Sunday.
After the handmade bomb blasted during the 72-hour long blockade programme called by the country’s opposition party on Saturday, the visitors were left panic-stricken but as the security measure was tight, the team management visiting with the team was convinced fully. The Saturday’s second youth ODI was rescheduled to Sunday but the decision of the West Indian board came all on a sudden.
“The WICB’s decision was taken following consideration of a report on the situation in Bangladesh as prepared by WICB Security Manager Paul Slowe. The report emphasised that the current security environment in Bangladesh is not conducive to the playing of cricket in light of the 72 hours nationwide blockade and calls for countrywide dawn to dusk protest. The State Department of the United States of America has also issued a travel alert to its citizens living in and travelling to Bangladesh,” the statement said.
“Travel arrangements are being made to allow for the team’s return to the Caribbean as quickly as possible. The team will remain safely accommodated at the team hotel under adequate security protection until departure from Bangladesh.”
The pullout is a major blow to Bangladesh’s immediate future as host of the Asia Cup in February and 2014 World Twenty20s to be held in March. They will also host Sri Lanka in January for a bilateral series. The decision of the West Indian Board left the BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon astonished but he ruled out of any long term impact of the pullout on the Asia Cup and World Twenty20.
“I don’t think there will be any long term impact. It’s a one-off incident which is very common in our country during the strike or blockade but I think situation will be okay by the end of the December,” he told the reporters.
Bangladesh are trying to convince the West Indian counterpart to arrange all matches in Dhaka. The two boards will talk in CEO level in which a decision might come “There is no place of violence in cricket in our country. Hopefully we’ll come to a solution.” The ICC however seeks the update of the situation, said BCB acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury Sujon.
-With The Independent input
