Bangladesh will not play its Twenty20 World Cup matches in India, with the country’s cricket board saying it is concerned about the safety of its players amid rising tensions between the countries.
Bangladesh were scheduled to play three Twenty20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, with the tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
“After a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladeshi contingent in India and taking into account the advice of the Government of Bangladesh, the Board of Governors has decided that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current circumstances,” the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the events authority, to consider relocating all Bangladesh matches to a venue outside India.”
Earlier on Sunday, Asif Nazrul, an adviser to the sports ministry, said Bangladesh would not travel to India.
“We welcome this decision, taken in the context of the extreme communal policies of the Indian cricket board,” said Nazrul, who added that he had directed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.
Last month, hundreds protested outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a crowd who accused him of making derogatory comments about the Prophet Mohammed.
A total of twelve people were arrested in connection with his death.
The incident soured relations between India and its neighbor, with ties already strained after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi following protests against her.
Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw their players from matches in India came after Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League team at the request of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).
The Kolkata Knight Riders said on Saturday they had released Rahman, who was signed at last month’s auction for a fee of 92 million Indian rupees ($1 million), making him the most expensive Bangladesh player in IPL history.
Following Mustafizur’s release on Saturday, the BCB had held an emergency meeting before requesting the rescheduling of their matches.
“The board said that if a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite having a contract, the entire Bangladesh cricket team cannot feel safe going to the World Cup,” Nazrul said.
On Sunday, cricket news site Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would ask the BCCI for a formal explanation on Mustafizur’s release.
Last year, the ICC allowed India to play Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to deteriorating relations with hosts Pakistan.
Bangladesh will play West Indies, England and Italy in Kolkata before ending the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai.
#Bangladesh #withdrawn #T20 #World #Cup #matches #India #rising #tensions #neighboring #country