'No threat to Bangladeshi players': ICC rejects Bangladesh’s request to shift T20 World Cup matches out of India
PTC Web Desk: The standoff between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the venues of the upcoming T20 World Cup matches intensified on Wednesday after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to move its matches out of India.
The ICC made it clear that all T20 World Cup matches will be held as per the original schedule and at the designated venues. In an official statement, the global cricket body said security assessments conducted in coordination with relevant agencies found no threat to Bangladeshi players, officials, media personnel or fans in India.
Earlier, the Bangladesh government had categorically stated that its national cricket team would not travel to India under any circumstances to participate in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul rejected what he described as an “ultimatum” from the ICC, alleging that unfair conditions were being imposed under pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Nazrul said Bangladesh would not accept such terms and argued that the country’s demand was reasonable, pointing out that the ICC had earlier changed match venues after Pakistan refused to play under certain conditions.
The ICC had given the BCB time until January 21 to take a final call, warning that if Bangladesh continued to refuse participation, Scotland could be included in the tournament based on rankings.
The controversy traces back to the BCCI’s request that Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman be withdrawn from the IPL, following which the Kolkata Knight Riders dropped him from their squad. In response, the BCB cited security concerns and refused to play group-stage matches scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Bangladesh has demanded that all its T20 World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The issue has been further complicated by strained diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh following recent incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
- With inputs from agencies
