The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a stern ultimatum to the International Cricket Council (ICC), threatening to boycott matches in India during the upcoming T20 World Cup. This dramatic escalation follows the controversial exit of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
A Firm Stand on Player Safety
BCB director Asif Akbar delivered the board's uncompromising position, stating that Bangladesh will refuse to play any matches on Indian soil unless their security concerns are adequately addressed. "We have already made our position clear. We have no second option," Akbar declared to the media. He emphasized that the decision stems from heightened worries about the safety of Bangladeshi cricketers following the Mustafizur Rahman incident.
Akbar's warning was severe, indicating that Bangladesh is prepared to take extreme measures. He warned that the team could even forfeit matches (take walkovers) during the T20 World Cup if their fixtures are not relocated out of India. As an alternative venue, the BCB has expressed readiness to play their matches in co-host nation Sri Lanka.
The Mustafizur Trigger and ICC Communication
The current diplomatic tension between the cricket boards ignited after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In response, the BCB took formal action, submitting a written request to the ICC. They asked for Bangladesh's four scheduled T20 World Cup matches—set to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai—to be shifted to Sri Lanka.
On Wednesday, the BCB released a statement confirming that the ICC has responded. "The Bangladesh Cricket Board has received a response from the ICC regarding the Board's expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India," the statement read. It added that the global cricket body has shown a positive and cooperative stance.
ICC's Assurance and Future Steps
The ICC's communication, as shared by the BCB, offered some reassurance. "The ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament," the board noted. Furthermore, the ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the raised concerns.
Crucially, the ICC has assured that the BCB's inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the global event. Asif Akbar confirmed that the ICC is now officially aware of Bangladesh's firm stand. "The ICC has been informed of our concerns and our position. After hearing their response, we will decide our next steps," he stated.
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. With the ICC's response now in hand, the focus shifts to whether a compromise can be reached. The participation of the Bangladesh team in the Indian leg of the tournament, once a formality, now hangs in the balance, awaiting further dialogue and concrete security assurances.
