AUSTRALIA TOUR OF BANGLADESH, 2017

Cricket Australia security delegation visits Dhaka ahead of Test tour

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

Cricket Australia delegation visiting the Mirpur Indoor facilities [Image Source: BCB] © Agencies

Bangladesh remain optimistic about hosting the two-match Test series against Australia despite uncertainty surrounding it. Cricket Australia delegates expressed satisfaction with the security in place during their pre-tour visit on Tuesday (July 25) ahead of the next month's assignment.

Other doubts remain over the series with the pay dispute between the players and Cricket Australia yet to be resolved. The representatives headed by the CA anti-corruption and security manager Sean Carroll however did not waste any time and went into business right away despite the heavy drizzle that literally halted the life of city dwellers.

The visitors went to the police headquarters in the morning where they were briefed at length about the security arrangements taken by the government.

"They are happy and satisfied with our security plan," National Police chief Shahidul Haque told reporters after the meeting. "We are hopeful that the tour will proceed as per scheduled," he said. "We have tried to fulfill all their requirements as far as security is concerned and are ready to welcome them by providing top-level security."

Earlier in October 2015, Australia postponed their proposed tour of two-match Test series due to security reasons. The Australians were scheduled to tour Bangladesh but 48 hours before the squad was due to fly in, CA announced that the departure had been delayed "due to concerns about the safety and security of the Australian Test team".

Following the information gleaned from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, CA postponed the tour a week later.

Australia revived the postponed tour after watching Bangladesh security closely in the recent past and upon receiving positive response from Caroll, who visited Bangladesh on May 16 along with other members, and were satisfied with all the arrangements regarding security and ground issues.

The tour looked to have overcome all the speed bumps before the pay dispute crisis blew up. The talks between CA and Australian Cricketers Association fell apart as the CA intended to end the revenue-sharing system in place, even as the ACA remained determined to keep it.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board officials heaved a sigh of relief as five-member team comprising representatives from both CA and the players arrived to see the security and logistic arrangement ahead of the scheduled tour.

"Definitely their arrival can be considered as a positive sign ahead of the tour. We are optimistic about the series," said BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury.

The Australian delegates visited Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium following the meeting with the Police chief in the afternoon. They are scheduled to visit to Chittagong tomorrow [July 26] before returning to Australia the following day.

© Cricbuzz

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