BCB President statement on WI withdrawal

[Zunaid]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


BCB President’s statement

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan, MP today made the following statement regarding the decision of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of withdrawing the West Indies Under 19 team from its tour of Bangladesh.

Mr Hassan said: “The withdrawal of the West Indies Under 19 team by the WICB from its tour of Bangladesh is unfortunate. However, we can understand what may have prompted the WICB’s decision even though its players or the game was never under any threat as we had ensured full-proof security. We realise that the parents and guardians were anxious about the well-being of their children which is quite natural.

“We are disappointed that the series could not continue but we are not unduly concerned about the implications of this situation. What is taking place at the moment in our country is a political unrest which can happen during an election year and it is not terrorism. Besides, we are convinced that cricket was never targeted during the disturbances.

“We have three very important cricketing events coming up in Bangladesh. The tour of Sri Lanka starts towards the end of January 2014, the Asia Cup is in February-March and the ICC World Twenty20 begins in March. I do not foresee any alarms in hosting these competitions as I am very confident that we will soon see the end of this phase of tension. This will not carry on forever.

“Political parties in Bangladesh have always been extremely cooperative and supportive to cricket. In fact, New Zealand have played a full series here recently when there were strikes and blockades also. A large number of foreign cricketers have appeared in our domestic competitions since the start of the political tension. There are instances of the duration of strikes getting reduced and cricket being kept out of the purview of demonstrations during matches here. I am sure we will continue to receive the same level of assistance and goodwill from the political leadership because we all unite for the cause cricket.”