Dubai, Jan 8: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday said the ICC is “willing to work closely” with it to address “security concerns” around the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India even though its demand for a change of venue has not yet been accepted.The T20 World Cup starts on February 7 and Bangladesh are due to play their four games in Kolkata and Mumbai.
“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament,” the BCB said in a statement.
“The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event,” it added.
BCB president Aminul Islam and government Asif Nazrul addressed a press conference after the board issued the statement on the sensitive subject.
Both reiterated their stance on why they are not comfortable with the team’s travel to India. Azrul was more vocal than BCB president Aminul.
“So far, we have very clearly taken this decision that we will make the ICC understand that we do not have an environment suitable for playing in India. This will be conveyed tonight or by tomorrow morning.
“With those sufficiently strong arguments, we will make the ICC understand that the core principle of our stand is that on the questions of Bangladesh’s security, Bangladesh’s honour, and Bangladesh’s dignity, we will not compromise. But we definitely want to play the Cricket World Cup,” said Nazrul.
Aminul cited the arrangement between India and Pakistan under which the arch-rivals play their ICC matches in a third country. With security for his players being a major concern for Aminul, he argued the same should be done for the games involving Bangladesh.
“When the Champions Trophy was held, India did not go to Pakistan, and Pakistan also did not come to India to play in the last World Cup. So we are also hopeful that we will get a proper response (from the ICC).
“…you know that the hybrid World Cup that is happening, the main reason behind that is security. So we are hopeful that we will be able to establish the reasons we have,” added the BCB president.
Hostilities shot up between India and Bangladesh following Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s ouster from the IPL on BCCI’s instructions.
The Indian Board did not give a clear reason for the decision but it was largely attributed to the deepening diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours in the wake of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.