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Doubt around Bangladesh Test tour mounts

Adam Voges put in another top score against New Zealand, but should have been out to a wrongly called "no ball". (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
28th September, 2015
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Australia’s cricket tour of Bangladesh could be scrapped within days amid heightened warnings from Britain and the United States about the likelihood of militant attacks.

Cricket Australia (CA) security staff are returning from Bangladesh following security briefings in the wake of reports that militants are planning to target Australian interests.

Australia’s cricketers were to have travelled to Bangladesh on Sunday but were blocked from leaving by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The tour now appears unlikely to go ahead as the United Kingdom and US follow Australia in upgrading travel warnings for Bangladesh.

The increased concern comes as hardline Islamist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting death of an Italian citizen in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone on Monday.

The Italian was reportedly followed by militants on a motorbike, who fatally shot the 50-year-old while he was on an evening walk.

CA head of security Sean Carroll, team manager Gavin Dovey and team security manager Frank Dimasi were returning to Australia on Tuesday after meeting with Bangladesh officials.

The trio were expected to meet with Department of Foreign Affairs officials on Wednesday before briefing the CA board, management and players.

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Australia’s concern has been mirrored in the United Kingdom and US, who have freshly warned their citizens in Bangladesh.

“UK officials have been advised to limit attendance at events where westerners may gather. You should be particularly vigilant at this time,” the updated UK travel bulletin said.

The US separately noted there was “reliable new information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh”.

“Such attacks, should they occur, could likely affect other foreigners, including US citizens,” the US Department of State bulletin stated.

The US banned all its government personnel in Bangladesh from attending large gatherings, including events at international hotels.

“The US government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in South Asia may also be planning attacks in the region,” it said.

“Terrorists have demonstrated their willingness and ability to attack locations where US citizens or westerners are known to congregate or visit.”

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Australia’s cricket tour of Bangladesh was to have been the first under new captain Steve Smith and features a tour game starting on October 3 against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, followed by two Tests – from October 9 and October 17.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said on Monday he was “shocked” by the Australian government’s advice to its cricketers.

“This is very disappointing for us. There is no risk for them in Bangladesh,” Hassan said.

After meeting CA officials in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the Australians would get security usually reserved for visiting heads of state if they went ahead with the tour.

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