WICB withdraws West Indies Under 19 team from Bangladesh tour

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has withdrawn the Under 19 team from its tour of Bangladesh.{{more}}

On Sunday, the WICB said it was acting in the “best interest of the safety and security” of the team.

“The WICB’s decision was taken following consideration of a report on the situation in Bangladesh as prepared by WICB Security Manager Paul Slowe. The report emphasized that the current security environment in Bangladesh is not conducive to the playing of cricket in light of the 72 hours nationwide blockade and calls for countrywide dawn to dusk protest. The State Department of the United States of America has also issued a travel alert to its citizens living in and travelling to Bangladesh,” a release from the WICB said.

Travel arrangements are being made to allow for the team’s return to the Caribbean as quickly as possible. The team will remain safely accommodated at the team hotel under adequate security protection until departure from Bangladesh.

An explosion had occurred a short distance away from the team hotel in Chittagong on Saturday evening. The players and members of team management were not targeted and were not in immediate danger as a result of the incident, the release said.

“The WICB wishes to thank the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their hosting of the team and the security arrangements provided to the team while in Bangladesh.

“The WICB has contacted the parents and guardians of the players to advise them of the latest developments.”