Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul stated on Friday that the board has not yet received any response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns about playing at venues in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He reiterated that the BCB’s position remains unchanged.
Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to tour India for the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7, and have requested to shift their matches to co-host Sri Lanka due to security concerns.
The BCB’s apprehensions arose after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
“We haven’t
yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern,” Bulbul was quoted as saying to the media.
The BCB chief emphasised that the board has clearly conveyed its position to the global governing body and stressed that moving matches to another Indian city would not alleviate their concerns.
“Any alternate Indian venue at the end of the day is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken and we have to abide by the government’s diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back.”
The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC’s response before making any further decisions.
“I can’t comment on what we will do if we aren’t allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response,” he added.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three of their group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
Bulbul also mentioned he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.
“I haven’t heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday.”
‘Bangladesh Is A Big Team’
Expressing confidence in the national side, Bulbul said Bangladesh have the ability to perform well, particularly in sub-continental conditions.
“I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well,” he said.
Addressing the recent controversy involving former skipper Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a “traitor” was an expression of personal opinion and that he had sought an explanation from the concerned official.
“It was the personal opinion of the director and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public,” Bulbul said.
Reflecting on his tenure, Bulbul said the phase had been educative for the board.
“It’s a learning experience for 25 board of directors. It’s a mix of ups and downs. But country comes first,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
