BCB president provides big update on ICC response to move T20 World Cup matches out of India

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul has given a fresh update on the board’s request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the venue of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 7.

Speaking to reporters in Dhaka on Friday, Bulbul said that the ICC is yet to respond to Bangladesh’s concerns about playing their matches in India. He made it clear that the BCB’s stand has not changed and the board is still waiting for an official reply from the global body. He said the board will wait for the ICC’s response before deciding on the next course of action.

“We haven’t yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern. I can’t comment on what we will do if we aren’t allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response,” Bulbul was quoted as saying by PTI.

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Bangladesh have expressed reluctance to travel to India for the tournament and have requested that their matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka due to security concerns. These concerns came after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders following instructions from the BCCI, amid reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

The BCB president also clarified that simply shifting Bangladesh’s matches to another city within India would not solve the issue. “Any alternate Indian venue at the end of the day is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken and we have to abide by the government’s diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back,” he said.

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Bangladesh are scheduled to play three of their group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul also said he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.

“I haven’t heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday.” Expressing confidence in the national side, Bulbul said Bangladesh have the pedigree to perform well, particularly in sub-continental conditions.

“I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well,” he said.

BCB president on Tamim Iqbal controversy

Addressing the recent controversy involving former skipper Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director publicly calling the senior cricketer a “traitor” was an expression of personal opinion and that he had sought an explanation from the concerned official.

“It was the personal opinion of the director and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public,” Bulbul said.

Reflecting on his tenure, Bulbul said the phase had been educative for the board.

“It’s a learning experience for 25 board of directors. It’s a mix of ups and downs. But country comes first,” he added.

(With agency inputs)