The International Cricket Council (ICC) says it will monitor political violence in Bangladesh ahead of next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in the troubled country but is “happy” for now with arrangements.
An ICC official said there would be a “continual review” of planning for the March-April tournament in view of the turmoil that has left dozens of people dead in street protests around the country.
“This is a situation that we have to consistently monitor,” Chris Tetley, an ICC event manager, told reporters late on Monday after a final inspection of the stadiums in Dhaka and in Fatullah, just outside the capital.
“Security is something we keep discussing. Obviously the things today could be different tomorrow. There will be a continual review of our arrangements against the situation. But at this stage, we are definitely happy,” Tetley said.
Asked whether the ICC would shift the tournament to another country if the violence escalated, Tetley said: “It’s difficult to speculate because we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“All we can do is continually assess the situation and discuss with the BCB [Bangladesh Cricket Board] and make plans accordingly,” he added.
Opposition supporters have held protests since late October that have left 52 people dead, along with a series of strikes and blockades that have paralyzed large parts of the country.
The opposition announced this week that it was boycotting elections scheduled for Jan. 5, unless Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigns beforehand, plunging the country into renewed political turmoil. The opposition alliance wants Hasina to step aside and make way for the polls at a later date under a neutral non-party government.
Hasina has rejected the demand and instead formed an interim multi-party cabinet comprising her allies to conduct the polls.
Bangladesh is set to host the tournament in three cities, Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet — all of which have been hit by the violence.
Tetley said he was impressed with the stadiums he had inspected so far, adding that the “dressing room facilities here are fantastic”, referring to Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
The ICC team were due to inspect facilities in Chittagong yesterday and Sylhet today.
The ICC World Twenty20 will feature all of the world’s top teams plus cricket newcomers including Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Nepal.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just