Bangladesh Cricket Board a divided house as views clash over sports advisor's extreme T20 World Cup stance: Report

Cracks have emerged in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) with not everyone on board with sports advisor Asif Nazrul’s hardline stance on the demand for a change in venues for the T20 World Cup that starts February 7. A second letter has been sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the Bangladeshi board explaining in detail their concerns regarding security situation in India. However, a breakthrough is yet to be achieved.

BCB and the government in Bangladesh have been adamant that the security situation in India is a big concern for their team which will not be able to travel to India due to this reason. However, reports suggest that this could also lead to Bangladesh's ouster from the tournament as the ICC is not in the mood to change plans at such short notice.

More from First Cricket

How ICC’s security assessment was falsely portrayed by Bangladeshi media and sports adviser Asif Nazrul ICC sources rubbish Bangladesh sports adviser’s sensational claim of BCB being asked to drop Mustafizur

Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. They are placed in Group C alongside former two-time champions England and West Indies, debutants Italy and lower-ranked Nepal.

BCB, a divided house

According to a report in news agency PTI, cracks have formed in the board in Bangladesh. While one group is with Nazrul’s hardline approach, another remains in favour of keeping channels of discussion open with the ICC and Indian authorities.

While Nazrul is pushing ahead with his uncompromising agenda, the other faction wants assurance of enhanced security coverage if the team travels to India.

BCB and BCCI have enjoyed cordial relations in the past with India being the first nation to play Test cricket in Bangladesh. However, the relations have turned sour recently amid the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and a rise in anti-India sentiment in the country.

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

BCCI recently told Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release star Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). This triggered widespread anger in Bangladesh with the board responding by demanding to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka and banning the telecast of IPL in the country.

While BCB maintains that the ICC is showing willingness in discussing their demands, the world cricket governing body is yet to give any indication of change in schedule for the World Cup which is now less than a month away.