Australia's departure for Bangladesh tour delayed

Australia’s departure for Bangladesh tour delayed: Qantas tour of Bangladesh which was scheduled to commence from October 9 with the first Test slated to take place at Chittagong might well not take place on time as Cricket Australia (CA) has delayed the departure of its 15-man Test squad. The Australian government has raised security concerns regarding the safety of the team in the Asian nation. They fear that their players might well be targeted by the militant groups in Bangladesh. It is not confirmed yet whether the matches will go ahead as per the schedule or not.

The Australian team was scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on September 28. As per the plans they were to leave independently from their home cities in Australia and then assemble together as a unit on arrival in Dhaka. It is notable that the Aussies are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up game against BCB XI in Fatullah from October 3.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland has said, “We have received advice from DFAT and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on a revised security plan for the tour. We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won’t be compromised.”

He further added that “We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team’s travel arrangements. In the meantime, we are working with the ACA and keeping our players and support staff fully informed.”

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said “Australians should be aware that normal travel in many parts of Dhaka is often not possible due to arbitrary acts of violence. Bangladesh has experienced a number of terrorist incidents in the past and security agencies in Bangladesh continue to arrest people connected to terrorist organizations. Further attacks are possible, including against Western interests.”