Visiting South Africa cricket team on Tuesday played down the significance of a reported threat made to their cricketer Wayne Parnell by anonymous caller, saying it was nothing serious and maybe a mere prank or a hoax call. Parnell reported the threat hours before the first Twenty20 international against Bangladesh on Sunday after he had received a phone call in his hotel room from a landline.
‘The call was put through to Wayne’s room on the day of the T20 but we thought it was probably a prank or a hoax call, we didn’t think too seriously of it,’ team manager Mohammed Moosajee told New Age.
‘Our main concern was the hotel putting anonymous callers through to the players’ rooms. Wayne followed the necessary security protocol by informing our security officer, who then took it up with the BCB officials.
‘He (Wayne) didn’t feel threatened at all. He was more concerned about anonymous phone calls being put through to his room,’ said Moosajee.
Earlier, BCB’s security consultant major (retd) Hossain Imam told New Age that Parnell was abused and threatened by the caller as he was getting prepared to leave for the stadium.
‘The call was made at around 10:40am just prior to the team boarding on the bus for going to Mirpur Stadium for the first Twenty20,’ he said.
‘Soon after the incident, we informed the matter to the intelligence agencies, including military intelligence DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence).
‘They have been trying to trace the caller and from where the call was made.
‘Parnell was apparently told, ‘In the guise of Muslims, you are actually militants. You have come to Bangladesh to conduct militant activities.
‘Just wait, we will take care of you. Come down to the lobby if you have the guts.
‘Parnell was terrified having received the call and informed the matter immediately to us.’
Parnell, who converted to Islam in January 2011, later accompanied the team to the ground and played the game that South Africa won by 52 runs.
He contributed to the win with 1-12 off 2.5 overs. Parnell also played the second game on Tuesday and claimed the vital wicket of Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal and finish with 1-29.
-With New Age input
