Johannesburg, South Africa – 2024/03/08 08:12 SAST – Members of the Bangladesh cricket team were victims of an armed robbery while traveling to the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg earlier today, according to reports from local authorities and the bangladesh cricket Board (BCB). The incident occurred around 07:30 SAST as the team bus was en route to the stadium for practice ahead of the second Test match against South Africa.
The robbery involved an unknown number of assailants who reportedly used firearms to stop the bus and demand valuables from the cricketers and team officials. While initial reports indicated only personal belongings were taken, the BCB confirmed that mobile phones, laptops, and cash were stolen. No injuries were reported among the team members, but the incident has understandably shaken the squad.
This brazen attack underscores the ongoing security challenges faced in certain areas of South Africa, even impacting high-profile sporting events.The incident raises concerns about the safety of international teams touring the country and will likely prompt a review of security protocols for the remainder of the series. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a full examination, with a dedicated task force assigned to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
“We are relieved that none of our players or support staff were physically harmed,” stated BCB spokesperson Jalal Yunus in a press conference following the incident. “We are in close contact with Cricket South africa and the South African police to ensure the safety and security of our team for the duration of the tour.”
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has condemned the attack and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. ”CSA takes the safety and security of all teams touring South Africa extremely seriously,” said CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki. “We are working closely with the SAPS to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and that such incidents do not happen again.”
The second Test match is scheduled to begin on 2024/03/08 at the Wanderers Stadium. While there were discussions about potentially postponing the match, both teams have agreed to proceed as planned, with heightened security measures in place. The SAPS has assured the teams that additional security personnel will be deployed to the stadium and surrounding areas to prevent any further incidents.
