SYDNEY — Australia’s upcoming cricket tour to Bangladesh appeared increasingly likely to be abandoned Tuesday amid warnings from Britain and the United States of security threats and concerns that militants were planning to target Australian interests.



A football World Cup qualifier between Australia and Bangladesh due to be played in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, on Nov. 17 was also in doubt, with Football Federation Australia saying it is monitoring the cricket situation closely.



Cricket Australia head of security Sean Carroll, team manager Gavin Dovey and team security manager Frank Dimasi were due to return to Australia from Bangladesh Tuesday after meetings with local security and intelligence personnel and brief officials in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the Cricket Australia board Wednesday.



Their recommendation will likely determine the future of the tour, which was to include two Test matches and begin with a warm-up match Saturday.



Security concerns increased Monday when an Italian citizen was shot to death by a gunman on a motorcycle while walking in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone. The militant group Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the slaying, though those claims have not been verified.



An updated travel advisory issued by the United States warned of “reliable new information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh.”



“Such attacks, should they occur, could likely affect other foreigners, including US citizens,” the US Department of State advisory said. The departure of the Australian team has been delayed by DFAT while the security threat is analyzed.



Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said Monday he was “shocked” by the Australia government’s reluctance to allow the cricket team to depart.



After meeting CA officials, Bangladesh’s home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, said the Australians would receive security details usually reserved for visiting heads of state. — AP