DHAKA: England cricket supporters’ organization Barmy Army has joined players Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales in deciding not to tour Bangladesh.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced that captain Morgan and opener Hales had ruled them out of contention for the tour due to security concerns in a country where 29 people were killed during a July terror attack.

Now, the Barmy Army has confirmed it will not travel either, after the Bangladesh Cricket Board failed to provide guarantees over the security of fans while travelling to and from venues, reports the UK based media Independent.

The supporters’ group was provided with a list of hotels which will receive police security - and was promised a segregated area within the grounds.

However, the BCB said fans will have to arrange their own private security while commuting to stadiums for the tour, which incorporates three one-day internationals and two Tests between October 7 and November 1.

A Barmy Army statement released on Twitter read “It is a matter of great regret that we feel unable to endorse travel to Bangladesh.”

“We have been supplied with a list of hotels in Dhaka and Chittagong that will receive protection from the Bangladeshi Police and been told that England supporters will be afforded their own segregated area within the stadium.”

“However on the issue of escorts to and from stadiums (where due to local traffic conditions supporters will be most vulnerable to attack), we have been supplied with the contact details of a private security company, the implication being that any extra security will have (to) be at (a) supporter's own expense.”

“Whilst we are grateful that the BCB are taking an interest, we feel these measures do not yet go far enough to persuade us to go against FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) advice.”

BDST: 1510 HRS, SEP 14, 2016
BD