Bangladesh won’t journey to India for the T20 World Cup subsequent month “below present circumstances” and have requested their matches be moved elsewhere, the nation’s cricket board has stated.
Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League team on the request of the Indian board amid growing tensions between the countries.
That led to an emergency assembly on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who now say they’ve “formally requested” the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) strikes all Bangladesh’s matches.
“The board believes that such a step is important to safeguard the security and well-being of Bangladeshi gamers, crew officers, board members and different stakeholders and to make sure that the crew can take part within the event in a safe and acceptable surroundings,” an announcement stated.
The transfer threatens to carry chaos to a contest which begins on 7 February and has already been affected by the political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Bangladesh are because of play all 4 of their group-stage matches in India, together with on the opening day in opposition to West Indies and in opposition to England in Kolkata on 14 February.
The event is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka, the place all Pakistan’s matches shall be performed due to the tensions with India.
The killing of a Hindu man throughout violent protests in Bangladesh pushed strained ties between Bangladesh and India right into a deeper disaster.
The person was accused of blasphemy and overwhelmed to demise by a mob in Muslim-majority Bangladesh in an episode that resulted in protests by Hindu nationalist teams in India.
Anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has grown since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to the nation in 2024.
India has not agreed to ship her again regardless of a number of requests, whereas violent protests broke out over the homicide of Sharif Osman Hadi, a distinguished scholar chief, in Bangladesh.
Mustafizur was withdrawn from an IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday.
No purpose for the choice was given by the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) however secretary Devajit Saikia referenced “latest developments”.
“The board reviewed the scenario intimately, taking into consideration developments over the past 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the general circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh in matches scheduled to be performed in India,” stated the BCB, who additionally introduced their 15-strong squad on Sunday.
“Following an intensive evaluation of the prevailing scenario and the rising considerations concerning the security and safety of the Bangladesh contingent in India… the board of administrators resolved that the nationwide crew won’t journey to India for the event below the present circumstances.”
The ICC has not responded to the BBC’s request for remark.
Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup: Litton Das (capt), Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam.
