Bangladesh Cricket Board Raises Security Concerns Ahead of T20 World Cup in India
BCB Communicates Security Issues to ICC
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially reached out to the ICC for the second time, detailing their security apprehensions regarding travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. They reiterated their request to relocate the tournament to Sri Lanka.
The World Cup is set to commence on February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to compete in four matches—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
The BCB has expressed reluctance to send its team to India following the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, a decision made by the BCCI citing unspecified 'developments all around.'
According to a source familiar with the situation, the BCB has communicated its concerns to the ICC after discussions with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul. The ICC had requested clarification on the security issues raised by the BCB.
However, the source did not provide further details regarding the contents of the letter.
This situation arises amidst ongoing discussions between the BCB and the ICC regarding Bangladesh's participation in the tournament. The ICC has remained largely silent while seeking more information about the specific security concerns raised by the board in Dhaka.
It appears that there is a division within the BCB on how to proceed. One faction supports Nazrul's firm stance, while another advocates for maintaining open lines of communication with the ICC and Indian officials.
This latter group emphasizes the necessity for robust and reliable security measures for the entire Bangladesh team during their time in India.
Nazrul, known for his critical views on India, is reportedly advocating for a tougher approach, which contrasts with the BCB's historically amicable relationship with the BCCI.
The release of Mustafizur followed reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
Currently, the ICC has not indicated any plans to change the venues for Bangladesh's matches from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo.
Nevertheless, the BCB has stated that the ICC is open to collaborating with them to evaluate the security concerns.