ZCZC
BSP-22
CRICKET-BD-SL-TOUR
Bangladesh waiting for security clearance for Lankan tour
DHAKA, June 27, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh may tour in Sri Lanka in July for a three-match ODI series only after getting the security clearance, which is in process at the moment, said a top official of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
In the wake of the terror attack in the Island nation, where nearly 300 people died and many were injured, BCB shelved the idea to tour in Sri Lanka.
BCB president Nazmul Hassan earlier revealed that “there was no way” that the board could afford to send their national side to Sri Lanka.
The three ODIs between these two nations were supposed to be played on July 25, 27 and 29 respectively.
Also, Sri Lanka Cricket had recently requested BCB ‘not to’ postpone the tour and promised them to give a VVIP security during the tour.
According to BCB officials they have informed the government officials and have sent four personnel of NSI to Sri Lanka on June 26 to assess the situation.
The national security agencies currently have been in Sri Lank to look after security arrangements and other factors before submitting their report to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The security agencies are scheduled to return home on June 29.
“They have recently requested us to continue the tour and promised VVIP security for us,” BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus.
“We are waiting for the report of the national security agencies and once we get it, we will sit with the government high-ups and seek for their approval.”
BCB has also confirmed that their security team will thoroughly monitor the situation of countries they are slated to tour in the near future.
BSS/SMP/SMM/1815 hrs