U19 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh despite Australia pull-out, Ireland invited as replacement

The International Cricket Council today said it will continue to prepare for this month’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016 despite Australia withdrawing its team from the event and expressing its concerns about the safety and security of its squad and management.

The ICC explained that its own security manager and an independent security agency had been working very closely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladesh security agencies, and that the planned security arrangements satisfactorily mitigate the risks identified such that it remains appropriate for the event to continue as planned.

The ICC further announced that it has invited Ireland, as the runner-up in the qualifying event in Kuala Lumpur in October, to replace Australia in the 19-day tournament.

“Whilst the ICC notes and respects the position of Cricket Australia, which we understand is based on an advice received from the Australian Government, we are obviously disappointed with the decision.

Take security around ICC events very seriously: ICC

The release goes on, “The ICC takes its responsibilities around the safety and security of ICC events extremely seriously. And taking into consideration the full and unequivocal support of the Bangladesh government that has been afforded to us at the highest level and through all local security agencies, the advice we have received from our own and independent security experts, and the robust security plan that has been developed, the ICC remains of the view the it is appropriate for event planning to continue as scheduled,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said.

“Naturally, as part of that planning process, the ICC’s own security team, supported by an independent security agency, will continue to monitor closely the situation in Bangladesh, including all travel advisories provided by relevant government agencies.

“Security plans associated with an event of this size and stature are always subject to continual review to ensure that they remain appropriate and fit for purpose, and this event is no different.

“The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is an extremely important event on the ICC calendar, which has a reputation of producing international stars. We remain confident that the ICC, in conjunction with the BCB, will be able to successfully deliver this event in Bangladesh,” Mr Richardson concluded.