England's Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales pull out of Bangladesh tour over security fears

England's one-day captain Eoin Morgan and batsman Alex Hales have pulled out of the tour of Bangladesh in October over security concerns.

In a statement, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said both players confirmed their decisions to Director of England Cricket, Andrew Strauss, this weekend.

Strauss said the ECB was "disappointed".

Former England player Mal Loye, who left a coaching position in Bangladesh last year over terrorism concerns, told ITV News he believed that travelling with the national team was safe.

“I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t send any team out there unless they have touched all bases on security,” he said.

However he said that Morgan and Hales' choice should be respected as an “individual decision”, adding: “I think the England cricket board shouldn’t hold it against them.”

He rejected suggestions that Morgan should step down as captain in the wake of his decision, saying he had made “such an impact” to the one-day squad and T20.

The ECB said a thorough and detailed risk assessment was approved and accepted ahead of the Bangladesh tour.

It added that the England players and management have been fully briefed on all aspects of the safety and security arrangements.

England will play three one-day internationals and two Test matches in Bangladesh starting on October 7th for five weeks, followed by five Test matches in India throughout November and December.

Jos Buttler will captain the one-day side in Morgan's absence.