Tight security for Hong Kong squad at World Twenty20 tournament
ICC taking no chances in cities hosting the event in Bangladesh
Hong Kong's cricketers have been warned not to leave the team hotel alone, or even in small groups, as organisers have thrown a massive security blanket around the major cities hosting the ICC World Twenty20, which starts on Sunday.
"No one is allowed to leave the hotel unless team management is informed earlier so that security can be arranged. These are restrictions the International Cricket Council has placed on all teams due to the security worries," said Charlie Burke, Hong Kong head coach.
"The ICC doesn't want players wandering around on their own or in small groups. We too prefer it this way, and if we go out it will be as a team, but having said that I don't want the guys to be cooped up in their rooms.
The ICC doesn't want players wandering around on their own or in small groups
"They have got to experience life in places they travel to, but we have to be sensible about everything and if the organisers say we have to go out with security, that is how it will be," Burke said.
Bangladesh has been gripped by political problems which have seen protests in recent months. Trouble began after Islamist leader Abdul Kader Mollah was executed in December for atrocities during the 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.
At one stage it seemed the Asia Cup, which ended on Sunday, would not go ahead and that the ICC World Twenty20 would be moved due to ICC fears over security concerns.
Jamie Atkinson and his team arrived on Sunday night from Dubai and experienced tight security with police escorts and roads blocked for the team bus as it sped from the airport to their hotel in Chittagong. The hotel has been ringed off and armed policemen can be spotted on the roofs of adjoining buildings.