Bangladesh Board assures fool-proof security to Indian team-Shukla

New Delhi, Apr 15 (UNI) BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla today said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has assured fool-proof security to the visiting Indian cricket team and it was ''up to the Home Ministry to decide now''.

''The Bangladesh Cricket Board has given an assurance that our cricketers will be provided fool-proof security during their tour to Bangladesh,'' Shukla told UNI.

However, he added ''now it was upto the Home Ministry to decide what needs to be done.'' The matter was taken even more seriously after media reports raised security issues about Team India's safety due to the current political crisis in Bangladesh.

Asked if there was any plans to send a security team from India before the team's secheduled departure for Dhaka on May 7, Shukla said, ''It might not be needed now as they (BCB) have assured us but the BCCI will leave it to Home Ministry to assess the situation.'' India will look to avenge the humiliating defeat they suffered at the hands of Habibul Bashar's men when they take on Bangladesh in two tests and three one-day internationals.

Law enforcement agencies including the elite force Rapid Action Battalion will look after the security matters for the touring side whose first match is a one-dayer in Dhaka on May 10.

In 2002, India had delayed their tour to Bangladesh by a day due to safety concerns.

Besides, the BCCI also needs to protect its players from the bird flu scare in Bangladesh.

UNI