India’s Axar Patel seems dejected after dropping his wicket throughout their recreation in opposition to Bangladesh at Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium, UAE, February 20, 2025. — Reuters
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) reiterated its place in opposition to touring India for the T20 World Cup on Wednesday, following the Worldwide Cricket Council’s (ICC) rejection of its request to shift the aspect’s matches overseas.
Bangladesh have refused to play their matches in India, citing issues concerning gamers’ security, and demanded to play their video games in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the match alongside India.
“They [ICC] said it’s a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them. I don’t want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Acknowledging the ICC’s choice to maintain the match’s schedule unchanged, Islam stated he would seek the advice of the federal government and convey its suggestions to the ICC.
“I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC,” he stated, including that gamers and the federal government wished Bangladesh to play the World Cup.
“However we do not assume India is secure for our gamers. A authorities would not solely think about the gamers, however they think about all, when it takes a choice,” the BCB president added.
The ICC announced its decision on Bangladesh’s request after a board meeting earlier in the day.
“The choice was taken after contemplating all safety assessments performed, together with impartial opinions, all of which indicated there was no menace to Bangladesh gamers, media individuals, officers and followers at any of the match venues in India,” the ICC said in its statement.
The cricket-governing body maintained that it was “not possible to make adjustments” so near the match.
Additional, the ICC acknowledged that altering the schedule underneath the circumstances, within the absence of any credible safety menace, may set a precedent that may jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC occasions.
As per the schedule, Bangladesh are drawn in Group C and scheduled to play their first three group matches in Kolkata — in opposition to West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 — earlier than concluding their group stage in opposition to Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
