The decision was taken after a meeting involving the sports adviser, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board exploring alternatives, including playing matches in Sri Lanka.
Kolkata Knight Riders released left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman following instructions from the BCCI, amid public criticism in India. This development raised security concerns for Bangladesh players, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the ICC requesting their matches be moved out of India, as directed by Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul.
The ICC has responded, seeking details on the security concerns. BCB directors held a meeting with the Sports Adviser to decide the next steps.
Speaking after the meeting, Asif Nazrul said: "The BCB directors are present, Bulbul bhai, Faruque bhai, all of us sat together. We discussed the situation and agreed that Bangladesh has worked hard to qualify for the T20 World Cup. We are a cricket-passionate nation and want to play, but not at the cost of our players’, fans’, journalists', or the nation’s dignity.
"After reading the letter from ICC today, it is clear that a severe security issue has arisen for Bangladesh players in India, which they have failed to fully grasp. This is not just a security issue; it is also a matter of national humiliation. The fact that the Indian board itself asked Kolkata to release Mustafizur because they cannot ensure his safety shows that the situation is not safe for our players in India," he added.
When asked what Bangladesh will do if ICC does not accept their request, he said: "Our first stand is to make ICC understand. We have strong arguments, and our principle is that we will not compromise on Bangladesh’s safety, respect, and dignity. But we do want to play the World Cup. What happens next, we will decide later. For now, our decision is clear: we will explain to ICC that the environment in India is not safe for us to play."
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul later said, “We have written to the ICC regarding the security of our players. But it’s not only the players; journalists, fans, and many others will also be traveling. We can’t write separate letters for everyone’s safety. That’s why we are seeking guidance from the government.”
He added that a change in stance is possible if safety can be assured.
“As you know, we need government clearance before any overseas tour. That is what we came here to clarify. If the safety of the players and everyone involved cannot be ensured, we will continue to fight for our rights in this World Cup.”
