Despite the Bangladesh government’s hardline stance, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will keep the communication channels open with the ICC as regards Bangladesh’s matches at the upcoming T20 World Cup. It is learnt that the BCB will send another letter (latest, it has been sent) to the ICC, detailing the cricket board’s position and requesting the game’s governing body to consider the situation.
“We don’t know what will happen. It’s very difficult to predict at this moment. The BCB is in the process of sending another letter to the ICC. Things need to be finalised quickly, for we have only a month left for the World Cup to start,” a BCB insider told RevSportz on condition of anonymity.
It is learnt that a section in the BCB is in favour of softening the stance subject to “a change in the security situation in India”, but at the end of the day, it’s the government’s call and the BCB will have to toe the line.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul and other board directors had a meeting with Asif Nazrul, the government’s sports advisor, on Wednesday afternoon after the ICC responded to the BCB’s letter that was sent on Sunday, asking to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India due to “security” reasons. After yesterday’s meeting, Bulbul told reporters: “Since a government order is required for any overseas travel, we are seeking guidance from the government on this matter. If the security situation does not improve, we will continue to fight for our rights.”
Also Read T20 World Cup: Bangladesh board hits conciliatory note, seeks ‘affable and practical solution’
“If the security situation does not improve” are the operative words here, which could be interpreted as a rethink. The BCB’s press release in the wake of the ICC’s response, too, seemingly struck a conciliatory note. “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.” it said.
Nazrul said Bangladesh would remain firm on its position of removing the team’s T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL, as it’s a matter of the country’s “dignity”. But the fact of the matter is that the ICC is standing firm on its decision of not moving out any of Bangladesh’s matches at the T20 World Cup out of India.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three group league games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. If the BCB fails to persuade the Bangladesh government with regards to changing its hardline approach, the team might risk forfeiting points.
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