Security concerns increased Monday when an Italian citizen was shot to death by a gunman on a motorcycle while walking in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone.
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Their recommendation will likely determine the future of the tour, which was to include two test matches and begin with a warm-up match on Saturday.
“UK officials have been advised to limit attendance at events where westerners may gather”.
Bangladesh meanwhile are confident that the tour will go ahead as scheduled and assured fool-proof security to the visiting Australian side.
Cricket Australia has said that it will wait for security briefing before heading out for the tour of Bangladesh.
Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday has recalled its security team from Bangladesh after they met various government and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials on Monday.
Australia’s cricket tour of Bangladesh could be scrapped within days amid heightened warnings from Britain and the United States about the likelihood of militant attacks.
The USA separately noted there was “reliable new information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh”. No other details were immediately available.
“Following yesterday’s meetings, our Head of Security, team manager and team security manager are on their way home from Bangladesh for further meetings with the DFAT and to brief our Board, Management and players on the situation”, said a CA spokesperson.
“The highest security protocol will be provided for the Australian cricket team”, Khan told reporters.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan, vice-president Mahbubul Anam and chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, at the Australian High Commission, put out a statement claiming Bangladesh to be a safe destination. “This is very disappointing for us”.
“We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region because of the risk of violence and kidnapping”, said the DFAT security update.
Australia’s cricketers were meant to have travelled to Bangladesh on Sunday but were blocked from leaving by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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Confirming the news, Australia’s team performance manager Pat Howard said that the flights had been booked for the team to depart late Tuesday night, but added that they would proceed only after ensuring player safety, Sport24 reported. “We also told them, by way of example, about the measures taken during the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh”.
