Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Dilemma: Security Concerns or Miscommunication?
Bangladesh's Security Concerns for T20 World Cup
Dhaka/New Delhi: On Monday, Asif Nazrul, the sports advisor for Bangladesh, stated that the ICC has recognized the country's security issues regarding travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, the ICC has dismissed his claims as 'a complete lie.'
Bangladesh has shown hesitance to travel to India for the tournament starting on February 7, proposing to relocate their matches to co-host Sri Lanka due to security fears. This concern arose after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL by the BCCI, which cited unspecified 'developments' as the reason.
"I must inform you that the ICC's security team has communicated with the BCB, indicating that three factors could heighten security risks for the Bangladesh team," Nazrul mentioned during a press conference in Dhaka, as reported by a local publication.
"Firstly, Mustafizur's inclusion in the team. Secondly, if fans wear the Bangladesh national jersey while moving around. Lastly, the security threat is expected to rise as the Bangladesh elections approach," he elaborated.
In contrast, the ICC acknowledged that they had reached out to the BCB but refuted Nazrul's assertions regarding the acceptance of Bangladesh's concerns.
"While there has been internal communication from the ICC to the BCB about security in India, what Asif Nazrul stated is entirely false. The ICC's communication does not mention Mustafizur's selection as a concern," an ICC source clarified.
The T20 World Cup is set to take place from February 7 to March 8 at various venues in India and Sri Lanka.
The BCB's worries intensified following Mustafizur's release from the Kolkata Knight Riders amid rising tensions and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
According to the current schedule, Bangladesh is slated to play their first three group matches in Kolkata and the final one in Mumbai.
In response to Mustafizur's exit from KKR, the Bangladesh government has prohibited the IPL's broadcast within the country.
However, former captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto have urged against a rigid stance, with Tamim warning that today's decisions could have long-term consequences.
Shanto expressed the psychological burden players are facing at the thought of potentially missing out on the World Cup. Nevertheless, Nazrul remains firm, insisting that Bangladesh will not retract its demands.