The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to formally respond to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) between Monday and Tuesday regarding the ongoing standoff over World Cup match venues, reports UNB.
According to reports, the ICC is unlikely to approve Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka. Instead, the global governing body is expected to propose relocating Bangladesh’s fixtures to southern Indian cities such as Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram as a compromise.
The BCB formally sought the venue change citing “security concerns,” following controversy surrounding the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad. Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, cities the board now views as politically sensitive.
However, the proposed alternative may also face resistance. BCB President Aminul Islam has indicated that venues like Chennai may still be unacceptable to the Bangladesh government, which is reportedly awaiting direct communication from Indian authorities regarding security assurances.
To counter concerns over safety, the ICC is expected to point to the recent presence of Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat, who officiated the India–New Zealand ODI in Vadodara on Sunday without incident. The governing body is likely to cite his participation as evidence that Bangladeshi officials can travel and work safely in India.
With less than four weeks remaining before teams begin arriving for the tournament, the ICC is pressing for a swift resolution to the venue impasse to avoid disruptions to the World Cup schedule.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
