Bangladesh were comfortable with the high level of security as they became the first foreign team to visit Sri Lanka since the Easter bombings, skipper Tamim Iqbal said Monday. Tamim said security was not a concern for them although the hosts had arranged tight protection following the April 21 attacks that killed 258 people.
“The security has been fantastic … The facilities they have given us are top notch,” he said. “We are feeling very comfortable. There is nothing except cricket (that) we are thinking of,” Tamim Iqbal said.
“The boys are enjoying the hotel and if they want to go out, it is completely safe.
A local Islamic extremist group was blamed for the April 21 suicide bombings against three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo. The authorities on Monday extended a state of emergency by a further month till August 22 giving more powers to security authorities to arrest and detain suspects.
Tamim said Sri Lanka had played in Bangladesh despite violence in his country and said his team’s visit was also a part of reciprocating the solidarity shown by their hosts.
Bangladesh will play three One-Day Internationals on July 26, 28 and 31 at the Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo.
