DHAKA (MNN); Bangladesh has decided not to play its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in India following the release of national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confirmed on Saturday that they had released Mustafizur after receiving directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The development triggered strong reactions in Bangladesh, where officials raised concerns over the safety and dignity of their players.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play three T20 World Cup matches in Kolkata during the tournament, which will be held from February 7 to March 8 and co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Following an emergency meeting on Sunday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that it had formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka.
“The Board of Directors has decided that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current circumstances,” the BCB said in a statement, citing serious concerns about player safety and government advice.
The BCB added that it had officially requested the ICC, as the event’s governing authority, to move Bangladesh’s matches outside India.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul welcomed the decision, calling it a response to what he described as the Indian cricket board’s “extreme communal policy”. He said Bangladesh would not tolerate any disrespect toward its cricketers or the country.
Nazrul also said he had directed the BCB to inform the ICC that if a contracted Bangladeshi player could not play safely in India, then the national team could not feel secure participating in a World Cup there. He further announced plans to seek a halt to IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul said the board’s top priority remained the dignity and security of Bangladeshi cricketers and that decisions would be taken accordingly.
Mustafizur, who was bought by KKR for more than one million dollars at the December auction, had previously featured for several IPL teams. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said KKR had been advised to release the player due to “recent developments”.
The issue has emerged against the backdrop of strained political relations between India and Bangladesh following last year’s political upheaval in Dhaka. The ICC has yet to issue an official response to Bangladesh’s request.
