Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup hangs in the balance, but the country's cricket board insists it won't suffer financially if the team decides to skip the tournament.
Board Insulated from Financial Impact
Najmul Hossain, chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's finance committee, made a clear statement on Wednesday. He explained that any financial loss from missing the World Cup would affect players directly, not the board itself.
"There will be no loss for the Bangladesh Cricket Board if we don't take part in the World Cup," Najmul told Cricbuzz. "The loss will be for the players."
Revenue Streams Already Secured
The finance chief provided specific details about the board's financial arrangements. He revealed that revenue projections remain secure through 2027 due to agreements made during ICC financial meetings in 2022.
"Up to 2027, our revenue will not be hampered because this was already fixed," Najmul stated confidently. He acknowledged that future tournaments and bilateral arrangements under the Future Tours Programme might face questions, but emphasized that "this World Cup does not affect that."
Player Payments Remain Separate
Najmul clarified the financial relationship between the board and players. Match fees and performance bonuses flow directly to cricketers according to ICC regulations, creating no profit or loss scenario for the board.
"The players will lose because when they play, they receive a match fee for every match," he explained. "If someone participates in a match, or becomes man of the match, or has some kind of special performance, then they get what is due to them. That money belongs exactly to the player."
He stressed that "the board has no connection with that" and repeated that whether Bangladesh participates or not, "the board has no profit or loss from this, at least not for this World Cup."
Security Concerns Spark Speculation
These remarks follow growing speculation about Bangladesh's World Cup participation. The Bangladesh Cricket Board previously expressed reluctance to travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns that prompted the ICC to urge reconsideration.
The situation intensified recently when the Board of Control for Cricket in India instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from IPL commitments. This move occurred amid political tensions between the neighboring countries.
No Compensation for Players
Najmul firmly rejected suggestions that the board should compensate players if Bangladesh withdraws from the World Cup. He posed a rhetorical question to emphasize his position.
"Why should we compensate?" he asked. "If they go somewhere and cannot do anything, then the crores of Taka we spend behind them, do we ask for that money back from them? Do we? Answer me."
The finance committee chairman added that players would find survival difficult without board support, highlighting the board's crucial role in cricketers' careers.
Controversial History
Najmul Hossain has previously generated controversy with his statements. He once claimed that Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal served as an Indian agent, creating significant discussion in cricket circles.
The current statements about World Cup participation continue his pattern of making direct, sometimes provocative comments about Bangladesh cricket matters.
