The ICC made the queries to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to let them know whether the prevailing political situation will create any problem in holding the first-ever knock out world cup cricket.
BCB President and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury told sports reporters today (Tuesday) that the ICC is a bit concerned about the situation, but at this stage they've no alternative than to hold the tourney as scheduled from Oct 24. The BCB president, however, hoped that the opposition would call off their Thursday's hartal.
Meanwhile, a parliamentary standing committee on Youth and Sports Ministry comprising members from the ruling and opposition parties today unanimously decided that there will be no programme of political agitation during the tournament. After the meeting, the Committee members also visited the games venue at Bangabandhu National Stadium to see the preparation for the 9-nation tournament.
The BCB president said: ``We earned the rare honour of hosting the prestigious tournament'' after giving an assurance to the ICC of stable political situation during the highly rated tourney as well as of some infrastructure development needed for it.
He said ICC chief Jagmohon Dalmiya met with the government and opposition leaders in Dhaka a few months back and both the sides agreed to extend their full support to host the tournament in Dhaka.
Weather: Despite the current cloudy weather, experts are optimistic that rain would not affect the International Cup, the ``Monsoon is over. Light to moderate rainfall is taking place due to a low, but its impact may be over before the inauguration of the tournament,'' said Met Office Director Ershad Hossain.
He informed that there is no sign of low in the Bay that could cause rainfall in the country, including capital Dhaka. ``Climate history indicates very light rainfall towards the end of October, but it should not hamper the tournament,'' the Met Office director said.
Met Office forecast the wind speed in the last week of October to be 7-10 kilometre in Dhaka in the evening when the day-night matches will be going on. However, wind speed in the morning will be 3-5 km.
International Cricket Council (ICC) has already announced that the bowls-off system of tie-breaking will be followed if any match of the tournament is abandoned for rain or any other reason.
Event Manager Asif Iqbal informed that for the tie-breaking, five bowlers from each side will bowl twice to empty wickets. Sudden death will apply if the match still remains tied, he said.