Pitch invasion causes security concerns in Sylhet Test

For the second time in the Sylhet Test, an intruder was able to escape the attention of security personals to make his way into the field of play and it has raised questions about the security measures that have been put in place at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium to ensure safety of the players. On the first day of the  Test match, an young fan had entered the pitch and hugged Mushfiqur Rahim. Today an adolescent boy entered the pitch and while the first incident was seen lightly, the fact that it has happened again has put into contention whether the security measures are inadequate.

Following the end of the 43rd over in which Taijul Islam bagged the wickets of Sean Williams and Peter Moor off back-to-back deliveries, the young man entered the field through the eastern part of the gallery, with a policeman following him into the field.

The intruder hugged Mushfiqur Rahim from behind after the team had just finished the celebrations following the dismissal of Peter Moor.  

Bangladesh Cricket Board's chief security manager Hossain Imam said that they are looking into the matter with utmost sincerity.

“We are looking to beef up security. The eastern part of the gallery fence is not high enough as few of the spectators had eyed the area to break onto the ground. We have to be more active to make sure everything is going as per direction,” Imam told the media.

“There are 20 security personals from BCB present here. They are mainly responsible for the overall security arrangement. The responsibility of gallery security or whether someone has made their way into the ground, rests with the law enforcement agencies. I think they should be more aware when carrying out their duty,” he added.

The young fan was later handed over to the police and according to the BCB official they will take strict action in regard to breach of security.

It was learned that the match referee showed huge concern over the matter and instructed the security personals to be more alert in the coming days.

Source: thedailystar