Foolproof security promised

It was a busy day for the Australian security contingent yesterday as they attended a number of meetings with different security agencies and government wings in a bid to analysing the safety measures for the Australia series.

They had meetings lined up with the Home Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, the DGFI and RAB as well. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on its part, pro-actively supported the team and ensured that these meet-ups were organised as quickly as possible.

Speaking to reporters following the visitors' meeting at the Home Ministry yesterday afternoon, Australia's high commissioner to Bangladesh, Greg Wilcock, provided a short statement to reporters regarding the ongoing activities but refused to take any questions.

“I want to make it clear that I speak on behalf of the Australian government...we are here discussing these safety and security measures with the Bangladesh authorities. We have enjoyed the time, the generosity and the expertise of the honourable minister and his senior police officials.

“This is part of our consultations with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and with the Bangladesh authorities and with Cricket Australia to address our shared interests. That work continues. This meeting has been a part of that. The work will continue for the rest of today (Monday),” the high commissioner added.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told reporters that he was confident that the tour would go ahead.

“We informed them (Australian officials) regarding every minute detail of our security plan. We told them that if they have any particular demand, it can be fulfilled. We hope they (Australia team) will come and play,” said the home minister.

BCB president Nazmul Hasan Papon, who was also present in the meeting, echoed a similar sentiment and said that the board would further update the security arrangements for the Australians. 

“The security plan that we had given them meets international standards. However, since they received a security alert, we asked them to speak to our security officials. We will be updating our security plan here. The level of security for the series will be similar to that of the ICC World Twenty20, which is almost of VVIP level,” said Papon.

“We are trying to present the facts to them. In Bangladesh, there is no reason to be scared about any sort of terrorist activity. Our security forces and intelligence wings are fully capable of defending this country against any terrorist activity. There's no reason why this tour won't be a success,” he added.

Papon further explained that the security team which arrived in Bangladesh can only assess the scenario and send a report back home rather than providing a definitive answer with regards to the tour.

“We haven't reached a decision regarding when the Australian team will come. None of them here can give a decision. The decision can only come from back in Australia,” said Papon.        

Later on Monday, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury talked to reporters in Mirpur and stated that the BCB hasn't yet thought about changing the tour itinerary as yet and that BCB hopes the tour will go as per schedule.

As per the original schedule, the Aussies are expected to play a three-day warm up match against BCB XI in Fatullah from October 3 before the two Test matches -- Oct 9-13 in Chittagong and Oct 17-21 in Dhaka.