U-19 World Cup on despite Aussie pullout

Cricket Australia (CA) have decided not to send its under-19 team to Bangladesh to take part in the Under-19 World Cup, which is due to begin in Chittagong on January 27, on security grounds.

CA's chief executive officer James Sutherland said that the decision was taken after advice from the government stated that the threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh was as high as when the senior team had pulled out of their scheduled tour in October last year.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The decision has come following a series of visits to Bangladesh from CA officials in the last few months. 

In order to replace Australia, the International Cricket Council (ICC) have invited Ireland, who finished second in the qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur in October.

"For some time we have been working closely with ICC security advisors and monitoring the security situation in Bangladesh and have been keeping our players, officials and the players' parents as up to date as possible," said Sutherland.

"Regrettably, the advice from our government suggests that the security threat to Australians travelling to Bangladesh remains as high now as it was when we postponed the Test team's tour of that country late last year.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury described the move as 'disappointing.'

“It is obviously very disappointing that a participating nation has decided against taking part in an ICC event. But we are still hopeful that we will be able to successfully host this event.

“We have promised the best possible security set-up. We have received assurances regarding this tournament from the highest possible level of the government. We have done everything that is possible from our side,” said Nizmauddin.

The ICC, through a press release, reiterated BCB's sentiments.

"The ICC takes its responsibilities around the safety and security of ICC events extremely seriously. And taking into consideration the full and unequivocal support of the Bangladesh government that has been afforded to us at the highest level and through all local security agencies, the advice we have received from our own and independent security experts, and the robust security plan that has been developed, the ICC remains of the view the it is appropriate for event planning to continue as scheduled,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said.

“Naturally, as part of that planning process, the ICC's own security team, supported by an independent security agency, will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh closely, including all travel advisories provided by relevant government agencies.

“Security plans associated with an event of this size and stature are always subject to continual review to ensure that they remain appropriate and fit for purpose, and this event is no different,” he added.

As of now, no other team is known to have similar intentions. According to news reports, New Zealand Cricket has also confirmed that they will be taking part in the tournament.

Australia were in Group D of the Under-19 World Cup along with India, Nepal and New Zealand.