The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request that its T20 World Cup matches be relocated from India to Sri Lanka. The body has taken the decision after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad at the order of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian cricket board issued a directive to the three-time champions due to the current political situation and recent developments in Bangladesh.
BCB president and former Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comment after an Emergency board meeting following the development.
However, government advisor Asif Nazrul said he has instructed the Board to ask the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league games — three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai — to Sri Lanka.
“As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” Nazrul said.
“The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup.
“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead,” he further added.
Bangladesh’s four league games are — against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), England (February 14) in Kolkata followed by their last game against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.
A BCCI source, however, insisted that the shift is next to impossible with just a month left for the tournament.
“You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked.
“Also on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done,” the BCCI source said.
India’s arch foe Pakistan already is playing its World Cup games in Sri Lanka as per an understanding worked out months ago.
The Indo-Bangladesh relationship has plunged into chaos after the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August last year following anti-government protests.
