The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is still awaiting an official response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its request to shift its T20 World Cup matches away from India, board president Aminul Islam Bulbul stated on Friday. He reiterated that Bangladesh's position, rooted in security apprehensions, remains unchanged.
Security Concerns Prompt Venue Change Request
Bangladesh has formally expressed its reluctance to play its scheduled group stage matches in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7. The BCB has requested the ICC to relocate its matches to co-host nation Sri Lanka instead.
This stance was solidified following an incident involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The bowler was released by his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for unspecified reasons. This development occurred against a backdrop of reported attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, amplifying the board's security worries.
"No Reply Yet," Says BCB President
Addressing the media, Bulbul confirmed that the global cricketing body has not yet replied to their formal communication. "We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern," he said, as cited by news agency PTI.
He emphasized that the BCB has clearly communicated its stand and that merely moving matches to a different Indian city is not a viable solution. "Any alternate Indian venue at the end of the day is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken and we have to abide by the government's diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back," Bulbul explained.
Awaiting Decision and Team Confidence
The BCB president stated that the board would decide its next course of action only after receiving the ICC's response. "I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he noted.
Bangladesh is slated to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul mentioned he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible alternative venues within India, adding that clarity might emerge by Monday or Tuesday.
Despite the off-field controversy, Bulbul expressed strong confidence in the national team's capabilities, especially in sub-continental conditions. "I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well," he asserted.
Addressing the Tamim Iqbal Controversy
On a separate internal matter, Bulbul addressed the recent controversy involving former captain Tamim Iqbal. A BCB director had publicly labelled Tamim a "traitor." Bulbul clarified that this was a "personal opinion of the director" and that he has sought an official explanation from him.
"Tamim has achieved so much and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public," the BCB president added, defending the accomplished cricketer's contributions.
Reflecting on his tenure, Bulbul described the phase as a learning experience for the board's 25 directors, marked by a mix of ups and downs, but underscored that the country's interests always come first.
