Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reaffirmed on Wednesday that Bangladesh will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, reiterating the nation’s demand to have their matches relocated to co-host Sri Lanka.
Speaking to the media following a meeting with directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Asif Nazrul said while the nation is eager to participate it cannot be at the expense of national dignity or player safety.
“We have discussed the situation.The Bangladesh team played hard and fought to qualify for the T20 World Cup, and as a cricket-crazy nation, we certainly want to play in the World Cup,” he said.
However, he drew a firm line regarding the venue.
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“We do not want to take part in the World Cup at the cost of the honour of the country, or at the cost of the security of the team, players, and the journalists of Bangladesh,” he said.
This development follows a week of escalating tensions.
On Monday, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially banned the telecast of the IPL in Bangladesh, labeling Mustafizur’s removal as ‘illogical’.
Asif Nazrul earlier endorsed that blackout, asserting that ‘the days of slavery are over’ in response to what Dhaka views as the BCCI's ‘radical communal policy.’
He also revealed that the Bangladesh had received communication from the sport's governing body but felt the gravity of the situation was misunderstood.
“We got a letter from the ICC,” he said. “I think they did not fully realise the security issue that is in place in India. It’s not just a security issue; it is an issue of national honour as well.”
The Adviser pointed to the recent controversy involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman as undeniable proof of the hostile environment.
Mustafizur was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this week—a move Nazrul cited as evidence that ‘there is no situation to play in India for Bangladesh.’
“There is a bigger picture regarding the communal issue that I don’t want to discuss here,” he added. “We will not compromise with our national honour or the security of our cricketers. We of course want to play the World Cup, but only in the other host nation, Sri Lanka. We are standing firmly by this stance.”
He concluded by stating that Bangladesh would continue to press the ICC to understand the reality on the ground.
“Our main position is that we will not compromise our national honour and security,” he added.