Dhaka terrorist attack: Bangladesh hopeful of England cricket team visit despite security concerns

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is hopeful that England will go ahead with their tour of the country later this year despite the 1 July terrorist attacks by gunmen at an upmarket Dhaka restaurant which left 28 people dead, including six gunmen. The Three Lions are to tour Bangladesh for a two test and three one day international (ODI) series scheduled from 3 October to 1 November.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet confirmed that the players would tour Bangladesh, with a spokesperson saying that they would follow government advice on the trip.

Speaking to the media on the issue, Bangladesh's Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said: "It is a very unfortunate incident for Bangladesh. We never imagined such a thing could happen in this country."

"I have seen England's reaction which is quite normal. We would have done the same thing if we were in their position. Even after the Paris attacks, the game didn't stop there. Sport will go on. England are coming after three months, by which time the situation in Bangladesh will get better," he added.

The country along with neighbour Pakistan has had major security concerns. The Australian cricket team postponed their tour of Bangladesh last year following a warning from their government while Pakistan have not hosted international cricket since 2009.

England skipper Eoin Morgan too admitted that there are big concerns regarding the team's tour of Bangladesh, suggesting that playing in a neutral country is 'feasible'.