New Delhi: Inflexible Bangladesh all set to miss T20 World Cup amid venue tussle with India
Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup appears unlikely after the interim government reiterated on Thursday its decision not to travel to India due to security concerns.
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Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government’s sports adviser, met with national cricketers on Thursday, though no attempt was made to consult the players on the matter.
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“The purpose of the meeting was simply to explain to the players why the government took this decision and give them the context. I believe they understood. That was the purpose — nothing else,” Nazrul told reporters.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is awaiting a formal response from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The ICC board on Wednesday gave the BCB more time to reconsider its stance, with no 24-hour deadline set, contrary to earlier reports.
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The ICC board has rejected the BCB’s request to change its group and relocate its matches to co-host Sri Lanka. The decision followed independent reviews indicating no threat to Bangladesh players, media, officials and fans at tournament venues in India.
Bangladesh are placed in Group C with England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies, and are scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
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While Scotland is likely to replace Bangladesh, an ICC official said requisite replacement protocols must be followed, which may take time. Bangladesh players, reportedly dejected by the development, must now wait for the situation to change following national elections next month.
Ties between the neighbours have deteriorated significantly following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The regime change in Dhaka precipitated a rise in anti-India rhetoric and reciprocal accusations regarding the safety of minorities, creating a hostile environment that has increasingly spilled over into sporting ties.
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