Bangladesh has expressed reluctance to travel to India for the tournament, which starts on February 7, and has requested that the matches be moved to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The BCB’s concerns increased after the release of the Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman of IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders on behalf of the BCCI for unspecified reasons, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Stating that the board has clearly communicated its position to the ICC, Bulbul stressed that shifting matches to another venue in India would not address their concerns.
“We have not received any response from the ICC yet. We have sent all attachments and proofs of our concerns. Any alternative Indian venue is ultimately an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken, and we have to abide by the government’s diktat. We stand where we stood a few days ago,” Bulbul said, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC’s response before taking any further decision. Bangladesh will play three group matches in Calcutta and one in Mumbai. Bulbul also said he was not aware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement locations.
“I can’t comment on what we will do if we are not allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response. I have not heard that Hyderabad and Chennai are alternate venues. Maybe we will find out on Monday or Tuesday,” Bulbul said.
Bulbul expressed confidence in the national side and said Bangladesh has the qualities to perform well, especially in subcontinental conditions. Commenting on the recent controversy involving Tamim Iqbal, he stated that a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a traitor reflected a personal opinion, adding that he has sought an explanation from the official concerned.
“I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarter-finals of the ODI World Cup 2015, we have played the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well. It was the director’s personal opinion and I asked him to clarify. Tamim has achieved so much and he should have kept that in mind when he made his opinion public,” Bulbul said.
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