Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul has delivered a stern message as uncertainty continues over the team’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has raised concerns about traveling to India for the tournament, citing security issues. Despite multiple discussions with the ICC, no resolution has been reached. Nazrul emphasised that Bangladesh will not be pressured into changing its stance and will not bow to the BCCI or accept any conditions it deems unfair or unreasonable.
“We have not heard anything about Scotland being included instead of us,” Nazrul said. “If the ICC exerts pressure or bows down to the Indian cricket board (BCCI) and imposes any unreasonable conditions, or puts pressure on us, we will not accept those conditions.”
He added that precedent exists for such flexibility, citing past instances where Pakistan’s reluctance to travel to India led the ICC to shift venues. “We have asked to change the venue on logical ground and we cannot be pressurised to play in India by putting illogical pressure,” Nazrul noted.
The controversy intensified after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, widely understood to be connected to recent political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
BCB media committee chairman Amjad Hossain clarified that no specific deadline had been set by the ICC for a decision on participation. “An ICC representative visited on January 17, and we discussed our reluctance to play in India. We requested an alternate venue. They will inform the ICC and update us on the decision later,” Hossain said.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. With the talks ongoing, the team’s final participation remains uncertain, leaving fans and officials awaiting clarity in the coming days.