The Bangladesh government has decided that the national cricket team will not participate in the T20 World Cup matches scheduled in India, citing serious security concerns for the players, support staff, spectators, and journalists.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul announced this decision to reporters following a meeting with national cricketers at a five-star hotel in Dhaka on Thursday.
He stated clearly, “This is the government’s decision not to play the World Cup in India due to security risks. When citizens of one country travel to another, it is the government’s responsibility to assess any potential threats—no one else has that authority.”
Nazrul emphasised that the cricketers were briefed during the meeting on the specific reasons behind the government’s stance, though he described the discussions as private and declined to share details of what the players said.
“The purpose was to explain the government’s position, and I believe they understood it,” he added.
Addressing potential repercussions for Bangladesh cricket, he countered, “We must also weigh the losses if the team does travel to India and plays. Bowing to pressure, ignoring the regional political context, and exposing not just players but also fans and media personnel to extreme risks would cause far greater damage.”
The adviser expressed hope that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would deliver justice by allowing Bangladesh to play its matches in Sri Lanka instead, taking the security issues into account.
“Bangladesh has the right to participate in the World Cup, and we remain optimistic that this will be accommodated,” he said.
This decision stems from ongoing tensions, including prior incidents that raised doubts about safety assurances in India, and follows the ICC’s rejection of requests to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures.
The government maintains that player safety remains non-negotiable.
