It’s now done and dusted. Scotland will replace Bangladesh at the upcoming T20 World Cup starting on February 7. The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) last-ditch attempt to send the matter before the ICC’s Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC) was never going to be successful, for it was beyond the Committee’s remit.
The DRC is there to arbitrate on contract violations between parties and in this case, there was no contract violation. Also, decisions taken by the ICC Board are binding on every committee and the BCB’s plea of moving Bangladesh’s matches out of India was dismissed by the Board, by a 14-2 margin when the motion was put to a vote. In fact, the BCB is breaching the participation agreement by refusing to turn up for the World Cup.
RevSportz already reported how the BCB has been staring at a financial apocalypse, an upfront revenue loss to the tune of $32.7 million by refusing to travel to India for the ICC event. In fact, the consequences could be even worse. It is learnt that the BCB runs the risk of being banned by the world body for government interference in its affairs.
The ICC guideline for member boards clearly mentions “the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket”. The BCB has failed to adhere to it.
“Let me tell you clearly. It is the government’s decision not to play in India due to security concerns,” Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters in Dhaka on Thursday. This confirms government interference and besides Bangladesh’s removal from the T20 World Cup, this could queer the pitch badly for the BCB. This can be construed as “violation of responsibilities as an ICC Member”.
In November 2023, the ICC had suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for government interference in the cricket board.
For more updates on the ICC – BCB issue, follow RevSportz
