England Under-19 ICC World Cup participation in Bangladesh under microscope following Australia pull out

England U-19 ICC World Cup participation in Bangladesh under microscope following Australia pull out

Following Australia‘s debatable pull out from the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh owing to alleged security threats, England are weighing in the situation. As of now, England’s U-19 team is to participate in the tournament as planned but it is interesting to see how things pan out in the following days. The England U-19 squad will meed on Thursday and will be briefed about the present security situation in Bangladesh. Meanwhile the England Cricket Board (ECB) is conducting extensive research into the security arrangements for the tour. Security adviser to ECB Reg Dickason will visit the country to assess the security first-hand. ALSO READ: Australia pull out of ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh citing security concerns

It was reported by telegraph.co.uk that ECB conveyed the participating players about their present findings of the security. They will heavily rely on advise from England’s foreign office. As of now their tour is to go on as planned.

Australia’s pull out has followed hot on the heels of the senior team’s withdrawal from a two-match Test tour in the country. Of late, there has been a rise in Islamist attacks targetting Westerners and secular bloggers. However, in their statement Cricket Australia (CA) specified that they were acting on reports of a threat specific to Australian interests. Australia U-19 team’s place in the tournament has been occupied by an Ireland team.

In case England does happen to withdraw from the U-19 World Cup, it will cast doubt on the England senior team’s tour of Bangladesh scheduled for later this year. ICC has given assurances of solid security arrangements for the tour.