KEY POINTS
- BCB and Bangladesh government unified in their stance.
- Officials named Sri Lanka as an acceptable alternative venue.
DHAKA, Bangladesh: In a decisive move escalating the pre-tournament standoff, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unequivocally reiterated that its national team will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The firm stance was solidified following a high-level meeting with Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Dr. Asif Nazrul, on Wednesday.
The board, having previously communicated its position directly to the International Cricket Council (ICC), convened with Dr. Nazrul at the secretariat to align with the government.
The unified message emerging from the meeting was one of unwavering resolve, citing unresolved security apprehensions and national dignity.
‘We are firm’
After the closed-door meeting, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul left no room for ambiguity.
“Bangladesh is firm on not going to play the T20 World Cup in India,” he stated bluntly to waiting journalists.
He confirmed that the board would reinforce its position through official channels, adding, “A letter will be sent to the ICC again today or tomorrow.”
The meeting, attended by key BCB directors including Faruk Ahmed, underscores the gravity with which Bangladesh is treating the issue, blending sporting diplomacy with national policy.
No compromise on safety and dignity
Government adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul reaffirmed the board’s firmness, framing the decision as non-negotiable on matters of principle.
“On the matter of our cricketers’ safety, Bangladesh’s safety, and Bangladesh’s dignity, we will not make any compromise,” he declared.
While emphasising Bangladesh’s desire to compete on the world stage, Nazrul explicitly named Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament, as an acceptable alternative venue.
“We want to play cricket, we want to play in the World Cup. Another host country is Sri Lanka; we want to play there,” he stated, providing a clear pathway for a potential resolution.
Appeal for impartial ICC consideration
Nazrul expressed hope that the ICC would engage with Bangladesh’s concerns objectively. “We hope we will be able to make the ICC understand this,” he said.
“The ICC will consider our arguments impartially and will give us the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup that we have worked hard to achieve.”
The renewed and fortified stance from Dhaka significantly raises the stakes for the ICC, which must now navigate a serious geopolitical and logistical challenge.
The global body faces mounting pressure to broker a solution that addresses Bangladesh’s security concerns while preserving the integrity of one of cricket’s flagship events, with the proposal to shift Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka now formally on the table.
