Bangladesh will host the ICC Under-19 World Cup as per schedule in next year, said the Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury after a meeting of top cricket executives of different cricket boards in Dubai on Sunday. The International Cricket Council is expected to name an alternative venue for the tournament, though Nizamuddin said it has no relation with the ongoing security situation in Bangladesh.
‘We are hosting the tournament as per schedule,’ Chowdhury told a private television channel after a meeting of chief executive officers.
‘An alternative venue will be announced but that is a normal practice in such kind of tournament,’ said Nizamuddin.
A review meeting will be held in November and only after that ICC will decide whether the relocation will be needed. Bangladesh is scheduled to host the ICC Under-19 World Cup tournament from January 22 to February 12.
An Indian newspaper on Saturday reported that the tournament could be moved away from Bangladesh.
Australia called off its series in Bangladesh this month after official warnings that militants may attack Western interests.
Tensions have since heightened after the murders of an Italian aid worker and a Japanese farmer in the space of five days, in attacks claimed by the Islamic State militant group.
BCB officials claimed India and Pakistan have their full backings for Bangladesh to hold the ICC Under-19 World Cup, comprising 16 teams.
Nizamuddin said Australia also promised to come to Bangladesh soon.
‘They have promised to come to Bangladesh in their first available slot. We are working out a date,’ he said.
Currently a slot is available in April next year, but it is not clear if Aussies will agree to tour at that period of time.
Chowdhury added that a final decision regarding Bangladesh’s chance of hosting the inaugural Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament will be taken later this month in Singapore during a meeting of the Asian Cricket Council.
The tournament could be held in early March next year just ahead of ICC World Twenty20 in India.
According to the official, Bangladesh is keen on hosting the Asia Cup Twenty 20 tournament, scheduled from March 1-10 as ACC decided to undergo a drastic transformation from the traditional 50-over tournament with a Twenty20 format in every alternate edition, beginning in 2016.
-With New Age input
