The diplomatic fallout between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh has extended to the press box, with the global body denying accreditation to all Bangladeshi journalists for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The decision effectively creates a media blackout for Bangladesh at the tournament, barring reporters from covering matches in both host nations, India and Sri Lanka.
A member of the BCB Media Committee Chairman confirmed the mass rejection to UNB on Monday night, saying that approximately 130 to 150 applications were turned down.
The move follows the ICC’s recent decision to replace the Bangladesh team with Scotland after the BCB refused to tour India citing security risks.
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However, the treatment of the media has sparked particular outrage.
Bangladeshi journalist associations are now planning to lodge a formal protest through the Ministry of Information and the BCB, demanding an explanation for why access was denied even for matches held in co-host Sri Lanka.