ICC ‘welcomes’ decision on Bangladesh tour

ICC chief David Richardson says he is pleased that the England tour to Bangladesh is going ahead, adding that the ICC are confident that the security assessment was done to the highest standard.

England's trip to Bangladesh was in doubt until last week, when the ECB said they were satisfied that the players would be safe, after a delegation headed by security expert Reg Dickason assessed the situation in Dhaka.

Richardson, a former player himself, says that there are dangers anywhere in the world, and that every effort should be made to ensure the game is grown in as many countries as possible.

Richardson said: “It is important to the global game of cricket that it can be played safely in as many countries as possible. The world in which we live means we all face threats wherever we are in the world. 

“Where those threats are considered higher, cricket, like other sports, undertakes extensive security assessments in determining whether or not matches can go ahead.

"Under the expert guidance of Reg Dickason, England have concluded that it is safe to tour Bangladesh. 

"We welcome this decision understanding the extent of the intelligence behind it where the safety of players and staff is of utmost importance. 

“Earlier this year, we held the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh with great success. Like the ECB, we had carried out all the relevant safety assessments prior to the tournament and concluded it was safe for everyone involved to play. 

“Now the ECB has given the tour the go ahead, the ICC will instigate our own security investigations to ensure we are confident of the safety of our match officials.  

“We would like to place on the record our thanks to the various security and Government agencies in both the UK and Bangladesh for their commitment to cricket being played safely.”

The tour will go ahead at the end of September, though players have been told that they can withdraw if they feel uncomfortable.