Dhaka/New Delhi: Bangladesh has decided not to participate in the proposed T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in India, citing serious concerns over player security and national dignity. The announcement was made by Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser and Minister Asif Nazrul, who said that under the present circumstances, playing the tournament in India would pose risks to both the safety of players and the country’s self-respect.
Nazrul said he held detailed discussions with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), during which it was unanimously concluded that while Bangladesh is keen to compete in the T20 World Cup, it cannot do so at the cost of security and national honour. He stressed that Bangladesh had earned qualification for the tournament through hard work and that cricket holds deep emotional value for the nation.
“We are a cricket-loving country and we want to play the World Cup, but not at the cost of our players’ safety, the security of our supporters and journalists, or our national dignity,” Nazrul said. He added that Bangladesh would not compromise on these core principles under any circumstances.
The sports adviser further stated that after reviewing a recent communication from the International Cricket Council (ICC), Bangladesh realised that the gravity of the security situation in India may not have been fully acknowledged earlier. He claimed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had conveyed its inability to provide security to one Bangladeshi player, leading to a request for the player’s exclusion from the squad. According to Nazrul, this raised serious and troubling questions about overall security arrangements.
While refraining from commenting on communal conditions within Bangladesh, Nazrul reiterated that the safety of players and the country’s honour would not be compromised. He said Bangladesh would formally convey its position to the ICC, underlining that participation in the World Cup remains a priority, but not above security and respect.
The development comes amid strained relations between the BCCI and the BCB. Recently, IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, a decision that the BCCI said was taken after considering the prevailing circumstances. The situation has also drawn political attention in India, particularly in the backdrop of reports alleging violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
