The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly begun the process of preparing a revised schedule for the upcoming T20 World Cup after Bangladesh declined to play matches at the initially proposed Indian venues.
The Indian Express has learnt that the ICC, led by Chairman Jay Shah, has initiated the process of drawing up a fresh schedule.
In the latest cricketing flashpoint between India and Bangladesh amid tense bilateral ties, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially requested the ICC to shift its T20 World Cup matches next month from India to co-host Sri Lanka, citing “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its contingent.
According to the original schedule, Bangladesh was slated to play three matches of Group C in Kolkata, including the opening game against West Indies (7 February), and against Italy (9 February) and England (14 February). Its last group match was to be held on 17 February against Nepal in Mumbai.
The BCB’s move comes a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Kolkata Knight Riders to eject Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the next IPL — the board cited “recent developments”, which is believed to be a reference to the domestic turmoil across the border.
Bangladesh is learnt to have escalated the issue after its government reacted strongly to the BCCI’s move. Taking to social media, Asif Nazrul, the adviser for Youth and Sports in Mohammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh, wrote: “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers and the country. The days of slavery are over.”
Following the IPL decision, the BCB held two “emergency meetings” in 24 hours, including a virtual discussion on Sunday afternoon, after which it took the decision to not send its team to India. “The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in a statement.
“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB said.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” it said.
Source: Indian Express
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
