Security threat delays Australia's departure to Bangladesh

Melbourne: Cricket Australia has delayed the departure of the nation’s Test team to Bangladesh amid security concerns raised by the Australian government that militant groups may target the tourists.

Australia’s Test team, led by new skipper Steve Smith, had been due to depart their various home ports on Monday with the full squad not assembling until arrival in Dhaka. Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said that recent advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had identified a potential security risk in Bangladesh.

“We have received advice from DFAT and based on that information we are working with security experts and the Bangladesh Cricket Board on a revised security plan for the tour,” Sutherland was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“We want the tour to go ahead and are planning for that, but the safety and security of our players and support staff is our number-one priority and won’t be compromised. “We will wait to receive updated security information early in the week before confirming the team’s travel arrangements. “In the meantime, we are working with the ACA and keeping our players and support staff fully informed.” DFAT issued its latest security advice about Bangladesh on Friday, saying there was “reliable information” of a threat to Australians. “There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh,” DFAT’s website said.

DFAT said Australians should “exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh due to the uncertain political and security situation”. The “exercise a high degree of caution” level of alert is second on DFAT’s four levels of alert.

The government raises the alert level to it’s third tier — “reconsider your need to travel” — for the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, a politically unstable area that borders India and Burma and is two hours’ drive from Chittagong city, venue of the first Test.