The International Cricket Council (ICC) might be ready to change the venues for Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches. This news was reported by Cricbuzz on January 4th, just hours after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested a venue change citing security concerns.
This development follows the controversy arising from Mustafizur Rahman's release from the Indian Premier League (IPL). In response to the situation, the BCB sent a letter to the ICC, requesting the relocation of their T20 World Cup matches to co-host nation Sri Lanka. Although a final decision is yet to be made, the ICC is understood to be seriously considering this request, with player safety as a critical factor.
Previously, on Saturday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman, who was purchased at auction for 92 million rupees. This decision came amid protests by some right-wing organizations in India, criticizing the involvement of a Bangladeshi cricketer in the IPL at a time of alleged attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
BCB's decision was met with strong criticism, leading to intervention by the Bangladesh government. After Mustafizur's release, the interim government directed the BCB to bring this issue before the ICC and demand the World Cup matches be moved out of India.
In a sharp statement, Bangladesh's sports advisor Asif Nazrul declared that the country would not tolerate insults to Bangladesh or its cricketers. He also hinted that the government is considering halting IPL match broadcasts in Bangladesh.
The BCB formally dispatched their letter on the afternoon of January 4th. The ICC is expected to respond shortly. Should the ICC agree to the BCB's request, both Pakistan and Bangladesh will play all their T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
