Mustafiz Row: Sports adviser asks BCB to write to ICC to shift Bangladesh World Cup matches

Terming the incident a serious security failure, he questioned India’s ability to protect Bangladeshi cricketers and warned that the national team’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup matches in India may not be safe.

Nazrul has instructed the BCB to formally raise the issue with the ICC, seek relocation of Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, and called for halting IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, framing the matter as one of national dignity and player safety rather than sport alone.

Mustafizur entered the IPL auction in the second pacers’ set with a base price of INR 2 crore and was eventually bought by three-time champions KKR for INR 9.20 crore after a bidding battle with Chennai Super Kings, following Delhi Capitals’ withdrawal.

However, following protests linked to the death of a Bangladeshi garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, several Indian political and religious groups reportedly called for Bangladeshi players to be barred from IPL franchises.

Amid alleged threats and following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), KKR were forced to release Mustafizur. Threats were also issued warning that no Bangladeshi cricketer should be allowed to play at Kolkata venues.

Condemning the move, Asif Nazrul wrote on his official Facebook page: “By surrendering to extremist communal groups, the Indian cricket board has instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. I strongly condemn and protest this.”

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20 World Cup matches at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens and one in Mumbai, requiring the team to stay in Kolkata for nearly two weeks. Questions have been raised over whether adequate security can be ensured during that period.

“As the minister responsible for the sports ministry, I have asked the cricket board to explain the entire matter in writing to the ICC. The board should clearly state that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being under contract, the Bangladesh team cannot consider it safe to play the World Cup there. I have also instructed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.” Asif said.

He also urged the Information and Broadcasting Minister to halt IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, stating:

“I have requested the information and broadcasting minister to stop the broadcast of IPL matches in Bangladesh as well. Under no circumstances will we accept the humiliation of Bangladesh, its cricket or its cricketers. The days of submission are over.”