Australian Players Stopped From Entering Dhaka Club In Bangladesh

Australian Players and Tamim Iqbal [Source: AFP]

Australian players denied entry into Dhaka golf course during Bangladesh tour due to a coordination issue that disrupted a planned leisure activity during their visit to Bangladesh.

Notably, Australia have arrived in Bangladesh for a white-ball cricket series featuring three One-Day International matches in Dhaka starting June 9 and ending June 14. 

After that, the squad will move to Chattogram for a three-match T20 International series scheduled between June 17 and June 21. The tour follows their recent ODI series against Pakistan, where Pakistan secured a 2–1 win.

Australian Players Planned Golf Outing

During a scheduled rest day in Dhaka, several Australian cricketers planned a golf activity for relaxation. Permission was arranged earlier with the golf course authorities, and initially only a small group was expected to take part.

Shortly afterward, additional squad members expressed interest in joining the outing. Therefore, organizers updated travel arrangements and arranged a larger transport vehicle to accommodate the expanded group. This change created a shift in the original plan that had already been submitted for approval.

Notably, initial rumour suggested that the touring party faced restrictions linked to security concerns, a development that left the visitors displeased. 

However, sources close to the situation clarified that the issue arose mainly from lack of prior coordination rather than any security-related threat.

Australian Players Face Entry Issue At Venue

Notably, the golf course is located within a military-controlled zone in Dhaka, where strict entry rules apply for every visitor. Each name must be included in advance clearance, and transport details must also match approved permissions.

At the entry gate, officials denied access to several Australian players whose names were not part of the original approval request. The updated group list had not been fully processed, which led to confusion at the checkpoint.

In addition, the transport change created another difficulty. The initial clearance covered a smaller vehicle, while the revised plan required a larger team bus. The updated vehicle permission had not been secured for passage through the restricted cantonment area, which further restricted entry.

Also Read: Bangladeshi Team Refuses To Play Match, Gives Walkover To Opponent

BCB Official Clarifies No Security Issue

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official explained that the situation did not involve any security concern. Instead, it resulted from a gap in communication and timing between the visiting team management and local coordinators.

According to the official, the first approval request matched a smaller group plan. Later additions to the group were not communicated in time, which led to incomplete clearance documentation.

"Initially, only a small group was expected to play, so we secured permission for a single microbus," a BCB official stated on the condition of anonymity.

"However, when more Australian players decided to join, a large team bus was required instead. We did not have the necessary clearance to bring a vehicle of that size through the cantonment area, meaning they could not proceed."

"We are fully prepared to accommodate all of their logistical requests, but we require timely and clear communication from their management to ensure clearances," the BCB official added.

It is important to note that the incident took place during a break in Australia’s tour schedule. Despite the minor disruption, the overall itinerary remains unchanged.

The Australian squad is preparing for the ODI series in Dhaka, with training sessions scheduled to begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Also Read: End Of Road For Shubman Gill In T20Is; BCCI Issues Strict Diktat