It was coming, and everyone could sense it. All the speculation, predictions, and drama regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the forthcoming T20 World Cup in India have come to an end. On Thursday, Bangladesh’s interim government Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that the team will not travel to India, citing security concerns.
Asif Nazrul clarified that the decision, reached after a 20-minute meeting, is entirely a government directive taken after careful assessment. “The decision not to play the World Cup in India, considering the security risk, is a decision of our government,” Nazrul said.
Cricketers, however, are disappointed by the announcement. Several members of the World Cup squad expressed their frustration at missing out on the tournament. A player present at the meeting, speaking to Times of Bangladesh on condition of anonymity, said, “We wanted to play in the World Cup, but the government remained firm in its decision. Here, perhaps a bit of ego also played a role.”
“During the discussion, we also expressed that we want to play in the World Cup. We shared our willingness to participate, and everyone’s opinions were taken into account,” added another member of Bangladesh’s squad.
The board and government officials cited security concerns as the main reason for the decision. During the meeting, cricketers were also asked to share their views on the matter.
The unnamed player emphasized that the team also considered the safety of others over the desire to play. “Considering the safety of the spectators who will attend the matches and the journalists who will cover them, we welcomed the government’s decision. The reasons why the government took this decision were also explained to us during the meeting,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Chattogram Royals captain Shak Mahedi Hasan, who is part of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup squad, said the players would follow the decisions of the board and the government.
Speaking at a press conference in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, one day prior to the Bangladesh Premier League final, he said, “As a player, who wouldn’t want to play in the World Cup? Everyone would. But it’s entirely the board’s decision and the government’s decision. They are our guardians; we should do whatever they tell us.”
The meeting was attended by BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul, Chief Executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, the Sports Secretary, and BCB Chief of Cricket Operations Nazmul Abedeen. Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz were also present, along with players including Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shamim Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Jaker Ali, and Saif Hassan.
