Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to carefully weigh the long-term impact of its actions amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the men’s team’s participation in the T20 World Cup in India, scheduled to begin next month.
Tamim’s remarks come in response to the BCB’s decision not to send its senior men’s team to India for the tournament. He cautioned that decisions driven by emotion could have enduring consequences for Bangladesh cricket.
The BCB has already indicated that it does not intend to travel to India and has formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. This stance followed the release of Mustafizur Rahman by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. The Shah Rukh Khan-owned team was reportedly instructed to release the Bangladesh pacer amid heightened tensions and attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
“The situation is a bit critical at the moment, and making a sudden comment is difficult,” Tamim said to local media during a press conference. “But many issues can be resolved through dialogue if everyone comes together.”
He emphasised that the board must reflect on Bangladesh’s position in international cricket and the wider ramifications of any decision taken at this juncture.
“You have to consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future of Bangladesh cricket could be, and then make decisions accordingly,” said Tamim.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul has adopted a firm stance on the venue issue, portraying it as a matter of national pride. Reports suggest that anti-India sentiment has been increasing within government circles. Although the BCB has publicly echoed this position, sources claim that the Aminul Islam Bulbul-led board is not fully aligned with such a hard-line approach.
Tamim reiterated the importance of preserving the BCB’s independence. “We consider the Bangladesh Cricket Board an independent body,” he said. “The government has a very big role, and discussions are necessary, but the board must also have the authority to make its own decisions.”
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