International Cricket Council (ICC) will send a delegation to Dhaka on Saturday for talks with Bangladesh cricket officials and the sports ministry amid an unresolved standoff over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director said on Friday.
BCB director Iftekhar Rahman Mithu confirmed the visit, saying the ICC outreach was a positive step after discussions had stalled.
“I know they are arriving tomorrow (Saturday),” Mithu told reporters. “The president knows the full programme. Basically, the president and the vice-presidents will sit with them, and we are expecting a good outcome from that.”
Bangladesh’s participation in the 7 February–8 March tournament remains uncertain after the BCB demanded relocation of their matches from India, citing security concerns. Talks between the ICC and the BCB have so far failed to produce a breakthrough, despite weeks of email exchanges and a recent video conference.
Mithu said Bangladesh’s position remains unchanged and will form the basis of the discussions.
“Our stance is very, very clear,” he said. “According to our board and our government, we believe our team, our players—and not just players, but supporters as well—are not safe. I think the discussion will basically be around this issue.”
He added that the talks are being personally handled by BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul.
“This is something the president is handling on his own,” Mithu said. “Let’s see what outcome comes tomorrow. Right now, everything is at a complete standstill, so at least this is a good sign that they are coming to move things forward.”
The ICC delegation, which will depart Dhaka on Sunday, will also meet the Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul for discussions alongside the BCB officials.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three of their four group-stage matches in Kolkata before travelling to Mumbai for their final fixture, but the BCB has so far refused to confirm participation unless its security concerns are addressed.
Courtesy: The Daily Sun
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
