The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is anticipating a final response from the ICC on Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by Tuesday, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul has said. The board has expressed objections to playing in India, citing security and national sentiment concerns following the recent controversy over Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL.
The BCB has sent two letters to the ICC, requesting that its World Cup matches be moved to Sri Lanka. Bulbul added that the latest correspondence provided detailed information on the security complexities. While rumours have circulated about shifting Bangladesh’s matches from Kolkata to another Indian venue, the BCB president said no formal proposal has been received, noting that all alternate venues would still be within India. Bulbul expressed his confidence, however, that if necessary, Bangladesh would play the tournament in Sri Lanka.
Director instructed to show cause over Tamim remarks
In a separate development, Bulbul addressed the controversial remarks made about former national captain Tamim Iqbal by BCB director M Nazmul Islam. Speaking to the media after attending the jersey and trophy unveiling of the ‘GNC School Cricket’ tournament at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, Bulbul said the director should have exercised more caution before commenting publicly.
“He wrote this on his personal Facebook. We have told him to issue a show cause,” Bulbul said. “Before posting, he should have considered how I have seen Bangladesh’s captain perform and the respect he deserves.” When asked about the nature of the request, Bulbul added, “That is his personal matter. I have told him… yes, this is effectively a show-cause notice.”
The matter is expected to be discussed openly in the upcoming board of directors meeting, likely on 24 January, where all directors, including Bulbul himself, will review the issue.
The BCB remains under pressure, navigating multiple crises — both regarding its participation in the World Cup and managing internal discipline within the board. On the question of whether unchecked remarks by board directors create further complications, Bulbul declined to comment directly, saying “no comments.”
