ICC’s Blunt Reply on Shutting Out Bangladesh Journos at T20 WC: ‘Govt Claimed...’

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied accreditation to more than 100 Bangladesh journalists, sparking a fresh controversy. The development came after the Litton Das-led Bangladesh team were

officially ejected from the tournament, after their refusal to travel to India for their group-stage matches, citing security concerns. Scotland filled the vacant spot in Group C, alongside England, the West Indies, Nepal and Italy.

The ICC’s decision to deny accreditation to Bangladeshi journalists for the tournament has sparked strong reactions within the country’s media. According to NDTV, an ICC official confirmed that the move followed remarks made by the Bangladesh government, which described India as “unsafe” for travel amid the ongoing political situation.

“They have not been given visas or accreditation because the government kept saying it is unsafe to come to India,” an ICC official was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The report further mentioned a senior Bangladeshi journalist, Rana Abbas of Aajker Patrika, who termed the development “deeply unfortunate”.

“This has never happened before. Bangladeshi journalists have been covering ICC events since before our first World Cup in 1999, including marquee matches like India vs Pakistan played in India. Never have all correspondents been rejected together. In the history of ICC events, this is unprecedented,” Abbas told NDTV.

Bangladeshi journalists have been reporting on ICC events even before the country made its World Cup debut in 1999. Many of them also travelled for the 2023 World Cup, forming a large presence in media boxes during Bangladesh’s matches.

What Does Media Accreditation Mean?

The accreditation is an important identity card for a journalist, allowing them access to the media box, press conference rooms and other areas of concern at a venue.

The ICC invites applications for a tournament beforehand, and each journalist is required to mention the name and place of their organisation. The world body holds the ultimate authority on accepting these applications, with certain rules applicable to all.