The security measures taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for Australia cricket team came under serious scrutiny on Tuesday as the visiting side alleged that their team bus was stoned after the end of first day’s play in the second Test in Chittagong. None of the players sustained any injury in the incident and it did not also affect the play apart from leaving the officials of BCB, who promised a statesman like security for the visitors, highly embarrassed.
‘On route back to the hotel last night [Monday] a window on the Australian team bus was broken. No one was injured in the incident,’ Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s Security Manager, said in a statement.
‘Team security personnel are currently in discussion with local authorities while they investigate the cause, which is believed to have come from a small rock or stone. Bangladesh authorities are taking the incident seriously and security has been increased on the route.’
The BCB took ‘head of state’ levels of security for the Australia team since their arrival on August 18 with roads en route to the stadium keeping blocked, and heavily armed guards keeping an eye on the crowds while players commuted to the venues.
In the aftermath of the incident, the authorities took additional measures to make Australia team feel safe.
On Tuesday, the team bus took a different route as the security personnel took the entire vicinity and close by areas under their radar.
The by-lanes leading to the main route were blocked during the players’ transit to avoid any further untoward incidents.
‘We think there was no major incident. The road through which we were taking them [Australia players and support staff] went into renovation and a small piece of stone unexpectedly hit the window after it came under the security car,’ Iqbal Bahar, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told New Age on Tuesday.
‘We have formed an enquiry committee to look into the matter apart from changing our route already. We don’t think there is any security scare but still we are not keeping any stone unturned to provide the best possible security.’
The Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a statement regarding the issue following the incident.
‘BCB is aware of the report of damage to a window of the Australia Cricket Team’s bus while returning to the hotel from the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong following the end of play on day one of the second Test on Monday,’ said the BCB.
‘The BCB has taken this matter with utmost seriousness and a high-power committee has been formed by the concerned security agencies to investigate and find out the facts,’ it added.
‘The Board has been in constant communication with the Australian Cricket Team management. As added assurance, security measures have been enhanced on the travelling route of the teams.
The Australia Cricket Team has expressed its satisfaction and comfort with the security operation in place and has appreciated the response from the BCB and the local authorities following Monday’s incident,’ said the board.
-With New Age input
