The Bangladesh Cricket Team Refuses to Travel to India for T20 World Cup Amid Security Concerns.
Bangladesh are placed in Group C with England, West Indies, Nepal and Italy.
In a significant development, the Bangladesh cricket board has announced it refuses to travel to India for the forthcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for next month "under current conditions" and has formally requested the International Cricket Council to relocate the team's fixtures elsewhere.
This stance was triggered by the release of Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman by his IPL team following a request of the Indian board, a situation that has intensified growing political strains between the two nations.
Board Convenes Culminates in Formal Request
Following this, an emergency meeting was convened by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has now stated it has "officially asked" the ICC to relocate every fixture involving Bangladesh.
"The board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of our national players, support staff, board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can compete in the tournament in a safe and suitable environment," the board's statement read.
Tournament Chaos Looms Amid Political Tensions
This development threatens to bring significant disruption to a tournament which begins on 7 February and has previously been impacted by political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play all four group-stage matches in Indian venues, featuring an first match fixture against the West Indies and a high-profile game against the English side in the city of Kolkata on 14 February.
This World Cup is being co-hosted by Sri Lanka, where all Pakistan's matches will be held because of the ongoing tensions involving India.
Background of Tensions
The killing of a individual during violent protests in the country pushed already strained relations between the two neighbors into a deeper crisis.
The man was accused of blasphemy and beaten to death by a crowd in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, an episode that resulted in demonstrations by certain groups in the neighboring country.
Furthermore, anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has escalated in the recent period.
Concerning Mustafizur Rahman, he was released from his Indian Premier League agreement on Saturday.
No official reason for the move was provided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though a senior official referenced "the current situation".
BCB's Detailed Stance
"The BCB assessed the circumstances in depth, taking into account events over the last 24 hours and voiced deep concern over the general environment regarding the participation of the Bangladesh team in matches planned to be played in India," said the BCB.
"Following a comprehensive evaluation of the prevailing situation and the increasing worries regarding the security and safety of the Bangladeshi delegation in India... the governing body resolved that the national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions."
The ICC have not yet responded publicly.
T20 World Cup Roster Revealed:
- Litton Das (captain)
- Saif Hassan
- Tanzid Hasan
- Parvez Hossain Emon
- Towhid Hridoy
- Shamim Hossain
- Nurul Hasan (wicket-keeper)
- Mahedi Hasan
- Rishad Hossain
- Nasum Ahmed
- Mustafizur Rahman
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib
- Taskin Ahmed
- Mohammad Saifuddin
- Shoriful Islam
