England cricket team expect all-clear for Bangladesh tour ahead of security briefing over terrorism fears

The Sher-e-Bangla Mirpur Stadium is set to host the first match of the tour, on Friday October 7
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Tom Collomosse24 August 2016

England will learn imminently whether their tour of Bangladesh is to go ahead with many players expecting they will be cleared to make the trip.

The squad are due to fly to Bangladesh on September 30 for a month-long trip that comprises three 50-over matches and two Tests – but the campaign has been in doubt for much of the summer.

On July 1, five Islamic militants attacked a cafe in the Gulshan district of the capital, Dhaka, leading to a siege that ended with the deaths of 20 hostages – 18 of whom were foreign nationals – and two policemen, before the gunmen were killed.

The ECB’s security expert Reg Dickason has recently completed a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh and will explain his discoveries to the players and staff. As well as the safety of the team, Dickason has considered that of travelling media and supporters when compiling his report.

If the tour is given the green light – as some players anticipate – cricketers will be permitted to take individual decisions on whether to tour. England one-day captain Eoin Morgan said: “There’s always room for a personal decision. You never put anyone under pressure to go on a tour.

“You also have to understand guys are in different situations and might have different priorities. But until we hear what it’s like … well, the media perception can be completely different from what is actually happening.

“I’m looking forward to the meeting because it’s a decision you’d prefer to get out of the way sooner rather than later or it becomes a distraction.

“They’ll debrief us on exactly what the findings are from both tours and we’ll get together as a side and chat about it. It has to be quite open.”

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Australia have withdrawn both their senior and Under-19 side from trips to Bangladesh in the past 12 months. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remain confident that England will be satisfied with the security arrangements in place.

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