Security strengthened in New Zealand for touring Bangladesh U-19, confirms Richard Boock

Security strengthened in New Zealand for touring Bangladesh U-19, confirms Richard Boock

no photo

New Zealand Cricket has confirmed a much-strengthened security arrangement for the touring Bangladesh U-19 who have just arrived at Christchurch. The Bangladesh Cricket Board is by all means worried about the security situation in New Zealand ever since the mosque attacks six months ago.

Earlier this year, when the Bangladesh Men's cricket team were touring New Zealand, right ahead of the final Test match of the series the visiting team had to escape after shots were fired at a Christchurch mosque which was close to the venue of the match. The team returned safely to the hotel after taking refuge in the immediate aftermath in the dressing rooms at Hagley Oval. At that time Australia’s Under-19s women side were also on tour in New Zealand and were staying in the same hotel as the Bangladesh team. However safe, the incident was frightening and has left a mark on the players. 

A 15-man squad of the Bangladesh U-19 brigade reached New Zeland, on Tuesday, to play five one-day matches against New Zealand Under-19 at Lincoln, south of the city, as both teams prepare for next year's ICC world tournament in South Africa. Due to the blasts in March, the NZC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) agreed to cancel the scheduled under-19 series in Bangladesh the following month. 

"New Zealand gave us a formal guarantee, which we worked out and sent it to our government," BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP as the under-19 team departed Dhaka.

Meanwhile, NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said security was undoubtedly up a level, as it prepares to host England, India and Australia this season. England arrive later next month and the first Twenty20 international is scheduled for Hagley Oval on November 1.

"It has been strengthened, not for this under-19 tour in isolation but for all inbound tours. David White [NZC chief executive] said after the Christchurch attack that this would change everything, and certainly that's been the experience so far. We're giving this a lot of attention."

"The biggest difference right now is the level of awareness and pre-tour planning that's going in to make sure everything is safe and secure," Boock was quoted saying by stuff.co.nz.

"It's not so much about numbers on the ground; it's about making sure all risks are identified and mitigated to an extent that they're deemed reasonable to accept. It's not just about going to the hotel and practice and to the ground, it's about everything in between."

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all