BCB upbeat over tour after security guarantees

The Australian team has been assured fool-proof security for its two-Test tour of Bangladesh next month, after Cricket Australia had delayed the team's departure for Dhaka on safety grounds. The security plan was extensively discussed by CA's security manager Sean Carroll, who arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday, and the Bangladeshi intelligence agencies.

ESPNcricinfo understands that following Sunday's meetings, the BCB is quietly confident that the sharing of more detailed information about the security situation and resources within the country with CA's representatives will put the Australian board at ease.

On Monday morning, Carroll will meet Bangladesh's home minister. Soon after arriving in Dhaka, Carroll had headed to the Australia High Commission where he also met with BCB president Nazmul Hassan, vice-president Mahbubul Anam and chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury. Two other CA security experts are also expected to arrive in Dhaka on Sunday night.

Hassan said he had told Carroll that he would have a clearer picture of the security situation in the country only following his meetings with the intelligence and security agencies. "They have information that Australian interest is under threat but that is not confined to Bangladesh," Hassan said. "It is also in other neighbouring countries.

"This is their concern. But I have told them that Bangladesh is one of the safest places for cricket, especially now. "[But] I don't belong to the security or the intelligence agencies. I told them, 'If you need a clearer picture, you please talk to the intelligence.'

"They want to sit with the DGFI [Directorate General of Forces Intelligence], the NSI [National Security Intelligence] and the police. Today they will meet the DGFI and the NSI, and tomorrow at 11.00am they will meet the home minister. They will also meet the police, SB [Special Branch] and DB [Detective Branch]."