Shahid Afridi backs BCB decision to skip India tour for T20 World Cup

Following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League, the BCB wrote to the ICC requesting a change of venue.

Afridi said that India had set the example for venue changes and described the situation as embarrassing for the game.

Afridi stressed that the ICC stands for the International Cricket Council, not the Indian Cricket Council. He said the Bangladesh Cricket Board was justified in deciding not to send its team to India. He added that the ICC must now step in and relocate Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue.

The former Pakistan captain noted that players want to compete against each other and that every nation is eager to host international cricket. According to Afridi, the responsibility now lies with the ICC chairman to resolve the issue.

He also said that while Jay Shah is keen to promote the game, he does not receive approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and therefore the ICC must take a firm decision at this stage.

In the most recent IPL auction, Mustafizur was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore. However, following instructions from the BCCI, the franchise was forced to drop the Bangladesh pacer from their squad last Saturday.

In protest against the decision, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered the suspension of IPL broadcasts in the country.