South Africa Women's tour to Bangladesh suspended

The South African women team’s tour to Bangladesh is in danger

The South African women’s cricket team have postponed their upcoming tour of Bangladesh due to security concerns. ESPNCricinfo reported that the Protea Women who were scheduled to tour the country this month, would not depart to Bangladesh.

South Africa women were presumed to land in Dhaka on October 15 for the tour which comprised of 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Nazmul Hassan, President of Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that a final decision on the tour would be taken after a deliberation by the International Cricket Council(ICC) in Dubai which should happen next week.

Have to find a solution to play despite threats: Hassan

However, Hassan was hopeful that the series would happen at a later date. He said, "CSA had wanted a security report but we thought it would be better to speak face to face in Dubai during the ICC meeting. I think the terror alerts would be taken off by the next five-seven days. We also need to know what type of security plan they have in mind. Since, both these teams are mostly free, it won't be a major problem to delay this series by a few days.”

“To make sure they don't have a negative view, we need to sit with them rather than exchange emails. The series is temporarily postponed by mutual consent. They are not coming on October 15, and I think they will come a little later,” he added.

Intending to personally approach the ICC for a solution, he asserted, “We have to find a solution to play even when there are threats. I think Zimbabwe will come early for the Test series but I don't want to show the world or the people of Bangladesh that a team has visited. I want a permanent solution."

The event followed the Australia men’s cricket team who had cancelled their 2-test tour to Bangladesh, citing security issues. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had issued an alert regarding possible terrorist attacks on “westerners” in Bangladeshi soil.

The atmosphere in Bangladesh had been filled with uncertainty due to the murders of an Italian and a Japanese national in separate assaults which were reportedly believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, a dreaded terrorist outfit.

Security analysts also condemned the internal Bangladeshi hard-liners who had become increasingly intolerant to the plights of the minorities living in the country.

South Africa women's tour of Bangladesh temporarily postponed due to security concern. Fresh dates after face-to-face meeting in Dubai.

— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) October 5, 2015