Australia withdraw U-19 Cric World Cup in Bangladesh

Australia has pulled out of the upcoming under-19 cricket World Cup in Bangladesh due to security concerns, AAP reports.

The tournament will start on January 27 but Australia`s best young talent will not take part.

Cricket Australia (CA) boss James Sutherland suggested there was no alternative but to stay home, as was the case when a Test tour of the country was postponed last October.

CA`s head of security Sean Carroll travelled to Dhaka last week with International Cricket Council security advisors.

Carroll overlooked the event`s security plan and sought further advice from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) officials in Bangladesh.

"The advice from our Government suggests that the security threat to Australians travelling to Bangladesh remains as high now as it was when we postponed the Test team`s tour," Sutherland said.

"Included in that is reliable information suggesting there is a high threat to Australian interests in Bangladesh.

"The Australian Government has authorised the dependants of posted diplomatic staff in Bangladesh to return home to Australia.

"With all of the information and advice we have received, we feel we had no alternative other than to make this difficult decision."

Sutherland apologised for the "inconvenience this may create" for the International Cricket Council and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Australia`s squad will still compete in a tri-series involving Pakistan and New Zealand, which is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates this month.

"This is a very disappointing outcome for our young players, who will have been looking forward to this event with great anticipation," Sutherland said.

"The ICC under-19 World Cup is a very important part of our program for talented players of this age ... it is highly disappointing on a number of fronts."

Sutherland noted CA will continue to monitor the security situation and remains keen to tour Bangladesh.

"In advising the BCB, we have reaffirmed our desire to get back to Bangladesh to play cricket as soon as possible," he said.

Sutherland added CA "will continue to discuss this with them in the coming months".

The Socceroos completed a 4-0 win over Bangladesh in their World Cup qualifier in Dhaka last November.

Dhaka`s deputy police chief Maruf Hasan insisted security for that match would be at an "unprecedented level".

"Much higher than any other international matches ever held in Bangladesh," he said. Australia`s under-19 side were due to play games in Fatullah, Mirpur and Cox`s Bazar.