The Bangladesh Cricket Board is working on a pilfer-proof security plan for the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty2014. Both multi-national events are scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh in February and March but have fallen into jeopardy after the current political turmoil raised concerns for the security of the participating teams.
Though not authenticated, there have been media reports on the tournaments being shifted to another country but BCB president Nazmul Hasan believes the situation is not bad enough for such a step and said they have not received any official expressions of concern from any of the teams.
“I learnt from the media of the alternate venues for the Asia Cup and also the World Twenty20. As far as I know, we (BCB) didn’t have any such communication with anyone. And I don’t see a reason for this to happen,” said Nazmul to the media at his corporate office in Dhanmondi yesterday.
“There can be alternative venues and it is not a wrong thing to happen because if the situation in Bangladesh doesn’t permit the events to take place, it has to be shifted somewhere else. But at the moment, the situation is not that bad that the tournament needs to be shifted to some other country,” he added.
The BCB boss along with other influential directors had an unofficial meeting with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) CEO Syed Ashraful Haq on the issue. Nazmul said that the discussion was regarding the upcoming ACC meeting in Sri Lanka on January 4.
“The decision to meet Ashraful bhai once we got to know that he is Dhaka was made promptly.The meeting today was informal.
“The security concern for the Asia Cup is likely to be on the agenda at the ACC meeting on January 4 in Sri Lanka. So, we had a discussion on the issue with Ashraful bhai. He said that this will be discussed in the meeting for sure, so it will be better if we go to the meeting prepared,” informed Nazmul.
The BCB boss also informed that if needed the BCB will communicate with the participating teams individually and explain them of the security measures taken.
“We are working on a pilfer-proof security plan following the ICC guidelines which hopefully will be completed by 30th of this month. Our target is to share the plan in the ACC meeting and also communicate with the participating countries if needed and if they are concerned,” he said.
The BCB also plans to meet the leader of the opposition party, Begun Khaleda Zia on the issue and demonstrate to her that her party’s programs are effecting the chances of Bangladesh holding the two major international events.
“We will request them (opposition party) not to hold any severe demonstrations during the time of the events. And even if they have any program, we will request them to keep cricket out of it,” said Nazmul, adding that a delegation will be sent to meet the opposition leader once an appointment is confirmed.
Similar initiative was taken in 1988 by the cricket board in order to host a successful Asia Cup. The country was suffering from political turmoil at the time but after the cricket board made a successful appeal, the parties understood the importance of the event and called-off demonstrations during the tournament.
“Cricket was not popular that time but still the political party supported the events,” said ACC CEO Ashraf who was an official of the cricket board in 1988.
“As a Bangladeshi, I will always want Bangladesh to host the event. I will talk to the participating teams and commit to them that things will be alright here. And personally I am hopeful that the tournament will be held here because I don’t see a reason for it not to be. Our job will be to assure them that they won’t suffer a loss holding the event here,” he said.