Following the deadly bomb attacks in Manchester on Monday (May 22), The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised its concern with the International Cricket Council.
With just a few days remaining before Team India leaves for England to defend their ICC Champions Trophy title, the BCCI is hugely concerned regarding the players’ security after the Manchester attack. The blast, which is being touted as the worst in Britain in a decade, has killed at least 22 people and injured over 50 others.
BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said that the board sent a message to ICC raising the concern and is now a bit relieved after the governing body responded to their concerns within no time.
“When I woke up, the first thing which I learnt was about these attacks. As soon as I was in the BCCI office we sent out a message raising our concerns about the security of the Indian team’s travel, accommodation and the playing (arena). Thankfully ICC has responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitised about our concern,” Chaudhry said.
“Obviously these attacks are in nature of the terrorist attack. This is something which can affect any individual on the planet. The security concerns are that much more intense,” he added.
Chaudhary further said that team India’s schedule for the tournament has not been changed as of now before adding that none of the players have raised any concern regarding the security.
“These concerns are so overwhelming that the team does not have to come and show its concern. We are all concerned,” he said.
Meanwhile, CK Khanna, the BCCI acting president, has said that the concerned Indian cricket board is in constant touch with ICC and the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit consultant and former Delhi Police Commissioner, Neeraj Kumar, who left for England on Tuesday (May 23) will be in touch rather.
“BCCI is in touch with ICC. Neeraj Kumarji is going to the UK tonight. He’s in regular touch,” Khanna said.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council, on its part, has insisted that safety is its top priority and it will continue to review its security procedures ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
As of now, the tournament is set to go ahead as planned and will start on June 1 with hosts England taking on Bangladesh. Defending champions India will begin their campaign on June 4 against Pakistan.