WICB withdraws U-19 team from Bangladesh after a bomb explosion outside the team hotel

[StriKe]

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Sunday withdrew their Under-19 team from a tour of Bangladesh after a bomb explosion outside the team hotel in the port city of Chittagong sparked fears over the squad’s safety and security. West Indies U-19 were scheduled to play six more one-dayers against Bangladesh U-19, who won the first match by 104 runs on Friday. The second one-dayer between the two teams was initially pushed back by a day as a precautionary measure. Police said a small device went off during a nationwide strike on Saturday evening outside Hotel Agrabad in Bangladesh’s second largest city where the West Indies team was staying. Although there were no injuries in the incident, the WICB decided to withdraw their squad after considering a report from Paul Slowe, their security manager. “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,†said the WICB in a statement. “The State Department of the United States of America has also issued a travel alert to its citizens living in and travelling to Bangladesh. “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.†The explosion came during a nationwide transport blockade called by the country’s 18-party opposition alliance, which is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and polls under a neutral government. At least 70 people have died in the violence triggered by the protests since late October. They include several people hit by small bombs. Bangladesh is due to host the 2014 World Twenty20 championship in March and April next year, with Chittagong, Dhaka and Sylhet all scheduled to host matches.

http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-news/wicb-withdraws-u-19-team-bangladesh/89118

[Scarves]

:| :|| :|||| :|| :| Seriously? :|

[King Tendulkar]

cant blame them

[Tiger-Don]

Politics taking away everything from us! killing this country inch by inch!

[gslv]

i guess all islam based countries are doomed, except those accept secularism like turkey. these wahabis are razakars are worst scums on earth.

[Zanjeer]

I was saying that Bangladesh wasn't safe for our cricketers. Few Bangladeshi fans were getting agitated. Where the **** are they now?

[StriKe]

Hope everything is back to normal before WCT20