Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul said on Friday that the board is yet to receive any response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over playing matches in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating that the BCB’s stance remains unchanged.
Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to travel to India for the tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7, and have requested that their matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security
concerns. The BCB’s apprehensions were heightened following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Bulbul stated that the board has clearly communicated its position to the ICC and emphasised that shifting matches to a different venue within India would not address their concerns.
"We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern. 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,” said Bulbul as quoted by NDTV Sports.
The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC’s response before taking any further decision. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three of their group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul also said he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.
"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. I haven't heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday,” said Bulbul.
Expressing confidence in the national side, Bulbul said Bangladesh have the pedigree to perform well, especially in sub-continental conditions. Addressing the recent controversy involving Tamim Iqbal, he stated that a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a traitor reflected a personal opinion, and added that he has sought an explanation from the concerned official.
"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. 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,” said Bulbul.
