T20 World Cup standoff: ICC set to visit Bangladesh as BCB, govt refuse to play in India

NEW DELHI: A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to visit Bangladesh soon to hold in-person discussions over the country’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The development comes amid an ongoing standoff, with Bangladesh’s sports ministry and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) maintaining a firm stance that the national team will not travel to India and will only play their matches in Sri Lanka.

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The proposed ICC visit was confirmed by sports adviser Asif Nazrul while briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday. Nazrul made it clear that while Bangladesh remains keen to participate in the global event, there will be no compromise on the venue issue.




“According to the latest updates, Mr. Aminul Islam [BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul] informed me that an ICC team is likely to come to Bangladesh for discussions. There is no chance of us changing our stance. We are eager to play in the World Cup, particularly in Sri Lanka, and I strongly believe that organising this is not impossible,” Nazrul said.

According to a Daily Star report, a BCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the likelihood of talks but said the schedule was yet to be finalised. “We are in discussions, and a delegation is set to arrive, but the exact date has not been determined. We are in communication, but the time is not fixed,” the official said.


The issue has been simmering since last week, when the BCB leadership held a video conference with the ICC. During the meeting, the board reiterated its refusal to send the team to India, citing security concerns, and formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated to co-host Sri Lanka. The ICC, while noting that the tournament itinerary had already been announced, asked the BCB to reconsider its position.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the BCB said: “During the discussions, the BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns. The Board also reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh's matches outside India. While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board's position remains unchanged.”

The board added that both sides had agreed to continue dialogue “to explore possible solutions” and stressed its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of players, officials and staff.

Bangladesh’s participation came under doubt following heightened political tensions between the two countries, exacerbated by the BCCI directing IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. Since then, sports adviser Nazrul has repeatedly stated that Bangladesh is not prepared to travel to India for the World Cup.

BCB vice-president Shakhawat Hossain echoed that view after the ICC meeting. “We are firm in the position we have taken. We will not change our stance even by an inch. We are not going to India,” he said. “We have stated our position and they are looking for alternatives. The path for discussion is still open.”