Bangladesh faces a critical decision over its participation in next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after the global governing body rejected its request to shift matches out of India.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it will consult the country’s interim government in a last-ditch effort to resolve the impasse, after the ICC board dismissed Dhaka’s security concerns linked to political tensions between the two neighbours.
With the ICC refusing Bangladesh’s proposal to play its matches in Sri Lanka, the team is now left with two stark choices: accept playing in India or risk being replaced in the tournament, which begins on February 7.
BCB President Aminul Islam said the ICC has granted a short window for further discussions.
“I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time,” he told reporters. “They said it’s a valid point and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them.”
Reiterating Bangladesh’s position, Aminul said security concerns remain unresolved.
“We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us, but we will talk to the government one more time and then inform the ICC of the feedback.”
Despite the standoff, Aminul acknowledged that the players are eager to take part in the World Cup.
“I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC. Who doesn’t want to play in the World Cup?” he said. “Bangladesh players want to play, and the government wants Bangladesh to play, but we don’t think India is safe for our players.”
Political relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated in recent months, with cricket also feeling the impact. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from this year’s Indian Premier League despite having signed with a Kolkata-based franchise.
In response, Bangladesh banned IPL broadcasts domestically and formally demanded that its World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka—a request that has now been turned down by the ICC, leaving Dhaka with a high-stakes decision to make within days.
