No tour to Sri Lanka in prevailing security situation, reveals BCB chief

There is no way we can send our team to Sri Lanka with the prevailing security situation" - Nazmul © Getty

Nazmul Hasan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president, noted that "there is no way" the board can afford to send their national sides to Sri Lanka, in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in the island nation, which left over 300 people dead and many injured

Incidentally, Bangladesh were scheduled to tour Sri Lanka to play three ODI on July 25, 27 and 29 respectively. The board was also expected to send the Bangladesh 'A' set-up for a bilateral series in September this year.

Nazmul pointed out that they are monitoring the security situation in Sri Lanka. "There is no way we can send our team to Sri Lanka with the prevailing security situation and we are taking these things into consideration,'' Nazmul told reporters during a press conference at his residence.

''We had several programs with them as we were expected to send our junior and senior cricket teams. But we have to keep in mind that the security condition of Sri Lanka doesn't permit us to travel there now. Not only Bangladesh, I don't think any other team would be considering about travelling to Sri Lanka in this situation," he added.

He also observed that Sri Lanka's president Maithripala Sirisena had said there could be more attacks in the near future in the island nation. "The most concerning fact is that even their president has told us there is a possibility of another terrorist attack in Sri Lanka. As they have said that there is a possibility of a terrorist attack, we are not thinking about having a tour to Sri Lanka just now.

''If the situation calms down and they give us the assurance that nothing bad will happen and most importantly, if our security gives us the clearance only then we can think about a tour in Sri Lanka. If our own intelligence gives us the assurance then there is a chance but we are not thinking about a tour to Sri Lanka now,'' he added.

In March, the third Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at the Hagley Oval, was cancelled in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Christchurch.

Nazmul also said that their security team will thoroughly monitor the situation of countries that they are slated to tour in the near future.