England’s Barmy Army have confirmed that they would not be traveling nor will they be arranging plans for tourists to Bangladesh where the Three Lions are scheduled to arrive on September 29. England go into the tour without their One-Day Internationals captain Eoin Morgan and top order batter Alex Hales who have stayed out of the series due to security reasons.
In July 22 people were killed in a Dhaka café by terrorists and England will be the first team to travel to the country after the attack. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in August said that the tour would go as planned after a detailed security review but the Barmy Army has chosen to stay away from the trip but says they will share their travel advice with individuals who want to go.
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A Barmy Army statement published in Skysports read: "Behind the scenes we have been liaising with the ECB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and have now received advice from the latter."We have been supplied with a list of hotels in Dhaka and Chittagong which will receive protection from the Bangladeshi Police and have been told that England supporters will be afforded their own segregated area within the stadium.
"However on the issue of escorts to and from stadiums (where due to local traffic conditions supporters will be most vulnerable to attack), we have been supplied with the contact details of a private security company, the implication being that any extra security will have be at supporter's own expense.
The letter also states that even though the BCB are taking a keen interest in having the Barmy Army over to Bangladesh, they would not go against the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
"Whilst we are grateful that the BCB are taking an interest, we feel these measures do not yet go far enough to persuade us to go against FCO advice."It is a matter of great regret that we feel unable to endorse travel to Bangladesh. Those of us lucky enough to have visited this country on previous tours have lasting and fond memories of a warm welcome, friendly locals and wonderful food.”
"Perhaps the greatest pleasure would have been to mix freely with the general population, particularly in and around the stadiums. We were also able to wander and explore the teeming cities of Dhaka and Chittagong without fear before. FCO advice specifically warns against such activities."
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