Conflicting versions have emerged following a virtual meeting between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup in India.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the ICC informed the BCB during the online call that their request to move Bangladesh’s World Cup matches out of India on security grounds had been rejected. The ICC reportedly told the BCB that Bangladesh would need to travel to India to play the tournament or face the risk of forfeiting points.
The BCB, however, have strongly denied that any such ultimatum was communicated. Board officials maintain that the ICC did not issue any threat regarding forfeiture during the discussion. No official statement has been released by either the ICC, the BCB or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the meeting.
The meeting was arranged after the BCB wrote formally to the ICC on 04 Jan, requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated outside India to ensure the safety and well-being of players, officials and board members.
Sources familiar with the discussions say ICC officials told BCB representatives that the governing body has no security assessment indicating any threat to the Bangladesh team in India. While no final decision has yet been communicated, there are no immediate signs of the ICC revising its stance. A formal response from the ICC is expected by 10 Jan.
The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 Feb to 8 Mar. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Group C matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against West Indies on 7 Feb, Italy on 9 Feb and England on 14 Feb before facing Nepal in Mumbai on 17 Feb.
The dispute stems from the BCCI’s directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who had been signed at the IPL auction in December for INR 9.2 crore. The decision was confirmed publicly by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, though no reason was provided. It is also understood that the IPL Governing Council did not meet to discuss the matter.
In response, the BCB banned the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh and escalated the issue to the ICC. As a further development, it emerged on Tuesday that Mustafizur is set to feature in the Pakistan Super League, with the Pakistan Cricket Board indicating that the left-arm pacer has joined the PSL for the upcoming season.
