The Bangladesh Cricket Board has once again made its position clear by reiterating its refusal to play the T20 World Cup in India, formally escalating the matter to the International Cricket Council. According to sources, the board has submitted another official letter requesting the ICC to refer the issue to an independent dispute resolution committee, highlighting unresolved concerns.
This latest communication was sent just two days after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches outside India for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In the letter, the BCB emphasized that Bangladesh has consistently maintained the same stance, making it clear that the decision was neither sudden nor reactionary.
The primary reason cited remains security concerns. The board reiterated that it would not send the national team to India, stressing that the safety of players is a non negotiable priority. Despite repeated discussions, Bangladesh believes conditions in India are not secure enough for its squad to participate without risk.
Earlier, on January 21, BCB President Aminul Islam had publicly stated that he requested additional time from the ICC to consult with the government. He explained that the ICC acknowledged Bangladesh’s concerns as valid and allowed him 24 to 48 hours to return with a final response after speaking to state authorities.
Islam also revealed that Bangladesh prefers to play its matches in Sri Lanka, which the board considers a safer alternative venue. While acknowledging that the ICC has decided to keep the tournament schedule unchanged, he confirmed that consultations with the government were ongoing.
Despite the firm stance, Islam expressed cautious hope, stating that both players and government officials want Bangladesh to take part in the World Cup. However, he stressed that national governments must consider broader implications beyond sport alone.
This renewed refusal underscores the growing tension between tournament planning and national security priorities, placing the ICC in a challenging position as the countdown to the T20 World Cup continues.
