Bangladesh has made a decisive move by opting out of the proposed T20 World Cup in India. Sports Advisor and Minister Asif Nazrul stated that under current conditions, participating in the tournament in India poses risks both to players and the nation's dignity. He made it clear that while Bangladesh is eager to play in the World Cup, it will not do so at the cost of national pride and security risks.
Nazrul mentioned that he convened a meeting with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to thoroughly discuss the situation. They unanimously agreed that Bangladesh, having qualified for the T20 World Cup through hard work, is passionate about cricket.
Asif Nazrul emphasized, "We are a cricket-loving nation eager to participate in the World Cup. However, we cannot compromise on the safety of our players, fans, and journalists, nor on our national honor."
He noted that after reviewing a recent letter from the ICC, Bangladesh felt that the grave security concerns in India were not fully addressed.
According to Nazrul, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) acknowledged its inability to ensure the safety of one Bangladeshi player, resulting in a request to remove that player from the team. He asserted that this poses significant concerns.
The sports advisor clarified that he refrains from commenting on communal situations within Bangladesh but reiterated that player safety and national dignity remain non-negotiable.
He affirmed, "We stand by our decision. Our stance is grounded in solid reasoning, and we will present our case to the ICC. We wish to compete in the World Cup, but nothing is above respect and safety."
The controversy has emerged amidst tensions between BCCI and BCB. Recently, IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. This decision was made by BCCI considering all circumstances. Reports of violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have sparked political opposition in India.
