The government has not ruled out playing in T20 World Cup but asked for alternative venues to ensure the safety of players and spectators, said Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Tuesday.

“The government has never said that we will not play. We have clearly stated that we are interested in participating in the World Cup. What we have asked for is an alternative venue,” he told reporters responding to a question after a meeting of the Economic Affairs Committee at the Secretariat.

Referring to past precedents, the adviser said the International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier arranged neutral venues for teams facing security or political concerns.

“India did not play in Pakistan for many years and played matches in different countries. So, providing an alternative venue is nothing unusual,” he added.

He stressed that Bangladesh did not make any unprecedented or unreasonable demand.

“This was not something absurd or an innovation coming out of nowhere. It is a practice that already exists in international cricket,” he said.

Explaining the rationale behind the government’s decision, the adviser pointed to security concerns arising from political developments in the host country.

He cited the exclusion of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from a previous event as a key factor.

“You know why Mustafiz was excluded. Certain political groups including the BJP and Shiv Sena demanded that he be dropped,” Khan said.

In that context, the government considered the safety of our players and the security of spectators and that is why this decision was taken, he added.

He reiterated that the government’s priority is to ensure a safe and secure environment for Bangladeshi athletes whenever they compete abroad.”This is a policy-based stand, not a political one.”

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Khan expressed hope that the ICC would address Bangladesh’s concerns in line with established international practices and facilitate arrangements that allow the team to participate without compromising security.