Bangladesh’s government and cricket authorities draw a firm line on security, risking ICC sanctions while pushing for Sri Lanka as an alternative venue.
Bangladesh has announced its final decision not to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, following high-level discussions between cricket officials and the interim government. Bangladesh Cricket Board Chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed the decision after a meeting with the interim government’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul on January 22.
Speaking to reporters, Asif Nazrul said the government’s position is clear and final, stating that the Bangladesh national team will not participate in the tournament if matches are held in India. “We have not been served justice by the ICC. We hope that the ICC will consider our security concerns and accept our request to play in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Nazrul stressed that public safety risks and the possibility of endangering players could not be ignored. He added that he had personally spoken to the cricketers before reaching the decision. Bulbul echoed this position, saying, “We are talking to the ICC again. We want to play in Sri Lanka, not India.”
Despite Bangladesh’s request, the International Cricket Council informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board that the team must travel to India as per the original tournament schedule. The ICC has reportedly warned that if Bangladesh refuses to attend, it could be dropped from the competition, with Scotland named as a potential replacement. The BCB has been given one day to communicate its final stance.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has reiterated that it is willing to participate in the T20 World Cup, but only if matches are shifted outside India. A proposal to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to co-host Sri Lanka was submitted, but the ICC declined to alter the schedule. Bangladesh remains placed in its original group under the existing format.
According to the tournament schedule, Bangladesh’s first group match is set to be played against West Indies in Kolkata on February 7. The next two group matches are also scheduled at the same venue, with the final group fixture planned in Mumbai.
The BCB has repeatedly raised concerns about security conditions in India. However, the ICC has stated that there is no specific threat targeting the Bangladesh team. An independent security assessment reportedly rated India’s overall risk level as medium to high, but did not identify any team as facing a direct or imminent threat.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed full support for Bangladesh’s decision, according to Pakistani media reports. These reports also claimed that the Bangladesh and Pakistani governments had exchanged views on the issue. However, no official confirmation has been issued by either the Bangladesh Cricket Board or the government.
The standoff places Bangladesh’s World Cup participation in serious doubt, as negotiations with the ICC continue under mounting time pressure.
