Cricket Ireland is not going to let Bangladeshi media inside the stadium for Friday’s practice match between the Bangladesh Wolves and the Ireland Wolves, which will take place in Cambridge. A small number of journalists from Bangladesh have made the trip to England to cover the one-day international series against Ireland.
The reduction in expenses is cited as the primary justification for Cricket Ireland’s decision to implement the ban. A spokeswoman from Cricket Ireland indicated that “safety, security, cost, no (press box) facilities, and (the) agreement with the venue” were all reasons why journalists were not permitted to cover the match at the location.
During Thursday’s practice session for the Bangladesh team at The Leys School in Cambridge, a rule very similar to this one was in effect. It was first requested that two journalists from Bangladesh and one from the United Kingdom leave the hearing because they were disrupting the proceedings. They were not granted permission to remain in the country until after a meeting between a representative of the English Cricket Board and Nafees Iqbal, the manager of the Bangladesh team.
According to one of the reporters, “I was surprised and rather shocked by the way that I was treated by Cricket Ireland staff.” There was either a little or nonexistent effort made to offer an explanation regarding the reasons why I had to leave. I was really ashamed of myself.”
The cash-strapped Ireland cricket board made the decision to play the one-day international series against Bangladesh in England rather than in Ireland due to worries about the weather as well as the fact that it would be more cost effective.
Ireland just got back from a month-long tour in Bangladesh, during which the Bangladeshi government provided the Irish team and the accompanying media with the best level of hospitality and amenities possible.