The biggest question remains: what exactly transpired in the meeting on Thursday (January 22)? This meeting, convened by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) against ICC's stance (on January 21, ICC confirmed that the matches would be played in India without changing the venue) highlighted BCB's refusal to play in the T20 World Cup in India.
So, what unfolded in this meeting, and who said what? How did the players stand? What did Aminul Islam Bulbul, the first-ever president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), say? What were the views of Bangladesh government's sports advisor Asif Nazrul? Let’s delve into the details...
Sources told PTI that during the government and players' meeting, Asif Nazrul did most of the talking, while Bulbul played a limited role. Senior players refrained from speaking openly. Their stance was that if even a senior player like Tamim Iqbal was not respected, the situation might worsen for other players. Tamim Iqbal was dubbed as an Indian agent.
When Nazrul was asked after the meeting whether the players were involved in this boycott decision, he stated, "We met with the players to explain the government's perspective and reasons behind the decision. It was a private conversation, so the players' responses will not be disclosed. However, they seemed to understand the situation."
After the meeting, Aminul Islam 'Bulbul' appeared dejected. In a press conference, while he expressed hope to play in the World Cup, there was a noticeable lack of confidence in his words.
Aminul Islam Bulbul, celebrated as Bangladesh's first Test century scorer, has always been uniquely recognized. However, Thursday added an unforgettable 'first' to his name.
Bulbul is on the verge of becoming the first BCB president under whose tenure the national team might step back from an ICC global tournament. Behind this stands the firm stance of government sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who linked security to national prestige and opposed travel to India. Furthermore, Bangladesh lacked support within the ICC. Excluding Pakistan's formal backing, neither the ICC board nor Sri Lanka Cricket spoke in their favor, despite Bulbul’s significant role in ICC for over a decade. In essence, Bulbul now carries a stain on his record.
What Are the Consequences for Bangladesh of Withdrawing from the World Cup?
This decision could directly impact BCB's financial health, with the annual sum of about 3.25 billion Bangladeshi Taka (approximately 27 million USD: 2.5 billion Indian Rupees) from ICC at risk. Additionally, broadcast and sponsorship revenue are expected to see a sharp decline, potentially affecting 60% of the board's annual earnings.
Should these scenarios unfold, the proposed India-Bangladesh series in August-September might also be canceled, with TV rights valued at least equivalent to 10 other bilateral series.
Greatest Impact on Players
The biggest victims in this fiasco are the players. For cricketers like Liton Das, this might have been a last career-defining opportunity. Though the government and board assured compensation for match fees, for international players, the stage and competition matter more than money.
