Cricket Australia has delayed the departure of its team for Bangladesh after the Australian government raised security concerns. The Australian board's CEO James Sutherland said the decision was taken based on advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He said the tour is by no means off at this point, but CA is looking into a revised security plan for it.
"We have received advice from DFAT and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on a revised security plan for the tour," Sutherland said. "We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won't be compromised.
"We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team's travel arrangements."
Sources at the BCB have said that they were taken by surprise by the developments. There have been no major incidents of political violence in Bangladesh in the last six months. There have been no security alerts issued in the country.
DFAT's latest security advice on Bangladesh, issued on Friday, said the level of alert is one up from the standard "normal safety precautions". It advised Australians " reconsider your need to travel" to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region - Chittagong will host one of the Tests.
The Australian government's travel advice page also said: "There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh. Australian officials in Bangladesh have been advised to limit their movements in public places."
Australia were due to leave for Bangladesh on September 28, separately from their respective home cities in Australia, and gather together as a unit only on arrival in Dhaka. They were supposed to begin the tour with a practice game in Fatullah on October 3, followed by two Tests in Chittagong and Mirpur that concluded on October 21, ending the tour.
Source: espncricinfo.com
BDST: 1818 HRS, SEP 26, 2015
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