Bangladesh is sticking to its initial stance after talks with the world cricket governing body (ICC).
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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday reiterated its stance not to play the Twenty20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh is sticking to its initial stance after talks with the world cricket's top body (ICC).
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday reiterated its stance not to play the Twenty20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh is sticking to its initial stance after talks with the world cricket body (ICC).
At a time of rising tensions between the two countries, Bangladesh had requested the ICC to shift its match, which was supposed to be held in India, to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security reasons. Bangladesh is scheduled to play four of its group stage matches, including against Nepal, in India in the Twenty20 World Cup starting from February 7.
The dispute between the two nations had escalated after India removed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket. Mustafizur, who had previously played for various IPL franchises, was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for $1 million in an auction in December. However, Kolkata removed Rahman from its team on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
India took this decision against the backdrop of extreme oppression of minorities in Bangladesh. But Rahman's removal from the IPL has sparked outrage in Dhaka. After a video conference with the ICC on Tuesday, the BCB said, "We have once again requested the ICC to consider moving Bangladesh's games out of India."
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is close to India, was ousted after the 2024 mass protests in Dhaka. This had brought a chill to political relations between India and Bangladesh. India's foreign minister last month condemned the continued hostility towards minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has accused India of exaggerating the consequences of the violence.
A statement issued by the BCB said, "The BCB reiterates its position on the decision not to tour India citing security reasons. Although the ICC has already released the tournament schedule, the board has requested the BCB to reconsider its decision."
The ICC has not commented on this. Bangladesh, led by Liton Das, is ranked ninth in the ICC Twenty20 rankings. Bangladesh has played in nine previous editions of the Twenty20 World Cup but has not reached the semi-finals.
