France hosted Euros, Bangladesh also can host England, says Mortaza
Apr 6, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh captain urged England cricketers to tour Bangladesh without any hesitation after there were doubts of their tour after the July 1 attacks, which killed 20 civilians and two security personnel.
As per schedule, England will play two Tests and three One-Day Internationals (ODI) against Bangladesh in October 2016. The England security team that arrived in Bangladesh to take stock of the security arrangements will brief the England cricket team soon.
Mortaza thinks that if the Euros 2016 were held despite the attacks in France, the attacks in Bangladesh should not in any way come in the way of the proposed England tour from happening.
“Firstly, I would ask them to come, and I still believe they will come. We are all confident that the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the government will be able to make necessary security arrangements. As a player, I will say that the sport should continue. This kind of attack is happening all over the world. There were attacks in France and still the Euros was held there. I think it depends on ECB-BCB, what is going on between them. I think they should come,” said Mortaza.
Headed by ECB’s security adviser Reg Dickason, a three-man security team visited Bangladesh and conducted venue and hotel inspections.
Having returned to England, the team will hold a discussion with the ODI squad and Test captain Alastair cook where information on England’s last two tours of Bangladesh will be used for a deeper assessment.
Mashrafe addressed the England players in his impassioned plea. “They [the security team] were here, and it is possible that they may have had issues about one or two things. I don’t know in what sense they said it or whether it can be fixed,” he said.
“I think whatever happens we have the ability to transport players safely. We also have families, we are also humans and our transport issues fall into the same category. I believe the BCB can handle it; I don’t think it will be too difficult,” added Mortaza.