SYDNEY: Australia called off a two-Test tour of Bangladesh yesterday citing terrorism fears after official warnings militants may attack Western interests.
Cricket Australia said that advice from the country’s security and intelligence organisation and department of foreign affairs about an increased risk for the team meant this month’s matches could not proceed.
CA chief executive James Sutherland said an independent security assessment confirmed the “risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting Australian nationals.”
“We have decided that, regrettably, we have no alternative but to postpone the tour,” Sutherland said.
Australia had been scheduled to depart on Sunday for the first Test starting on October 9 in Chittagong.
Bangladesh had tried to keep the tour alive insisting that the players would be given the level of security usually reserved for visiting heads of state, with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan saying the “highest security protocol” would be provided.
“We’re very disappointed. We’ve offered the highest and unprecedented level of security to the Australian team, which is generally provided to a visiting head of state,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus.
However, the death of an Italian aid worker in Dhaka’s diplomatic quarter – shot three times on Monday night in a murder claimed by Islamic State group – only escalated fears.
“We had hoped that the security concerns would fade, but unfortunately the advice we have received from government, our own security experts and independent security advisors has clearly indicated that there are now high risks to our people should they make the trip,” Sutherland said.
CA said it would work with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to try to reschedule the tour.
The security scare also spilled over to soccer yesterday with Australia’s football chiefs announcing their own concerns about playing in the South Asian nation.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) officially notified Fifa of their security fears.
The group-topping Socceroos are due to take on Bangladesh in Dhaka on November 17.
“FFA is concerned about the security situation in Bangladesh,” it said.
“FFA has formally raised the matter with Fifa and AFC (Asian Football Confederation).”