Shamik Chakrabarty, Vadodara
In the absence of “valid security reasons” the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is struggling to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) that a relocation of Bangladesh’s matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup is necessary, RevSportz understands. There’s a feeling that the BCB’s letter to the ICC, asking that the Bangladesh’s matches be moved out of India due to “security reasons”, in the wake of seamer Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL was knee-jerk and didn’t follow the due process.
“To demand relocation, you have to provide valid security reasons,” a source in the know told RevSportz. “You come to a conclusion about security threats only after a visit/visits from a security team/teams to the venues and receiving feedback. Without that, how can you say you are concerned about the players’ safety and security? Security-wise, India has an impeccable record as regards hosting multi-nation sports events.”
Also Read ICC Plans BCCI Talks as Bangladesh Presses Hard for Venue Relocation in T20 World Cup
Last Sunday, the BCB sent its first letter to the ICC, stating: “Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh
Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions.”
It added: “In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India.”
After receiving a response from the ICC and probably realising that the world body is unlikely to accede to Bangladesh’s demand, the BCB sort of hit a conciliatory note, putting out a statement that said: “The Board will continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant event authorities in a cooperative and professional manner to arrive at an affable and practical solution that ensures the smooth and successful participation of the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.”
The Bangladesh government, however, has stuck to moving out the team’s matches at the World Cup to Sri Lanka, the tournament co-host, and reportedly on its insistence, the BCB has sent another letter to the game’s governing body. The ICC, though, is standing firm and unless “valid security reasons” are provided with, the tournament schedule will remain unaffected.
The T20 World Cup starts on February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to play three of their group league matches in Kolkata and another one in Mumbai.
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