ICC Chief Executive David Richardson has issued the following statement after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that it will go-ahead with its scheduled tour of Bangladesh.
“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.”
