ICC accused of vindictive action by Bangladeshi journalists, BCB after T20 World Cup controversy: 'Exposed dark side'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected accreditation applications from Bangladeshi journalists seeking to cover the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup after they refused to play their group stage matches in India.

Bangladesh had requested a change in venue from India to Sri Lanka after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) removed Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bangladesh said BCCI’s decision highlighted the security threat to their team in India, but ICC did not agree to their arguments, removing them from the tournament.

ICC denies permission to Bangladeshi journalists

But it has started to deny permission to Bangladesh journalists to cover the T20 World Cup as well, claims a report in the Daily Star. The news was confirmed to the Bangladeshi publication by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) media committee head Amzad Hossain, who said that 130-150 Bangladeshi journalists had applied for accreditation, but ICC has not approved even one.

“As far as I know, all Bangladeshi journalists were rejected. Around 130 to 150 journalists applied this year, but none received accreditation,” Amzad said.

A Bangladeshi photographer said his accreditation was revoked after being initially confirmed.

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“I received an approval email from the ICC media department on January 20, which included a visa support letter. But today I received another email saying my application was rejected,” Mir Farid, photojournalist of Bengali newspaper Kaler Kantho, said.

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Arifur Rahman Babu, a senior journalist and president of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), said ICC denying accreditations to Bangladesh journalists has exposed the dark side of the global body.

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“It appears the ICC is unhappy that Bangladesh are not participating and has shut the door on Bangladeshi sports journalists. This goes beyond courtesy and professionalism. I think this episode exposed a dark side of the ICC,” he said.

The ICC is yet to react to the rumours.