Bangladesh Cricket Board Withdraws Team from T20 World Cup Amid Security Fears

BCB's Decision to Withdraw from T20 World Cup

On Sunday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that it will not send its national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security issues and government recommendations. This decision follows the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman by the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

While the BCCI did not directly link its request for Rahman's release to the current diplomatic tensions between the two nations, it acknowledged that recent events influenced its decision.

The unexpected removal of Rahman from the IPL led the BCB to convene an emergency meeting on Saturday night. The following day, the Board of Directors reconvened and concluded that the national team would not travel to India for the T20 World Cup, which is set to commence on February 7.

In a statement, the BCB expressed its serious concerns regarding the safety of the Bangladesh National Team in India, stating, "The Board reviewed the situation in detail, considering recent developments and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India."

The BCB further elaborated that after a comprehensive evaluation of the current situation and the increasing worries about the safety of the Bangladesh contingent, along with the advice from the Bangladesh Government, it was resolved that the team would not travel to India under the present conditions.

Following the meeting, BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot voiced the board's apprehensions regarding security in India. He questioned, "If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players (referring to Mustafizur), how can they guarantee the safety of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will need to address this situation, as Bangladesh is scheduled to play all four of its league matches in India.

Similar to the arrangement made with Pakistan, Bangladesh is requesting that all of its matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, which is a co-host of the tournament.

The BCB's statement included a formal request to the ICC to consider moving all of Bangladesh's matches to a venue outside India, specifically to Sri Lanka. The board emphasized that this step is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members, and other stakeholders, allowing the team to participate in a secure environment.

The BCB is hopeful for the ICC's understanding of the situation and is awaiting an urgent response.

Before the BCB's official announcement, government advisor Asif Nazrul had already declared on Facebook that the board had decided against sending the team to India. He stated, "Bangladesh will not go to India to play in the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has made this decision today. We support this decision in light of the violent communal policies of the Cricket Board of India."

Following the BCB's emergency meeting, Nazrul instructed the board to formally request the ICC to shift Bangladesh's four league games—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai—to Sri Lanka.

As the advisor responsible for the Ministry of Sports, he emphasized the need for the Cricket Control Board to document the situation and communicate it to the ICC, stating, "The board must clarify that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe traveling to India for the World Cup."

The IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, released Mustafizur Rahman, who was acquired for Rs 9.20 crore during last month's auctions in Abu Dhabi, following the BCCI's directive.

The relationship between India and Bangladesh has deteriorated significantly since the ousting of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last August amid anti-government protests. She was sentenced to death in absentia for her alleged involvement in a violent crackdown during the protests that resulted in several student fatalities.

Since Hasina's removal, there have been reports of violent attacks targeting Hindus.

Potential Suspension of IPL Broadcast in Bangladesh

Nazrul also mentioned that he has requested the advisor for Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry to ensure that the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh is halted. He stated, "I have asked the advisor for Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh is suspended. Under no circumstances will we tolerate any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers, or Bangladesh itself. The days of servitude are over."

There is a sense of disbelief within the BCB regarding the rapid escalation of tensions, especially after India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. A BCB source noted, "The BCB announced the schedule for India’s tour of Bangladesh due to a sense of positivity, but now we need an official confirmation from the Indian board regarding the cancellation of Mustafizur’s contract."