Bangladesh accepts ICC decision, BCB rules out arbitration

Bangladesh Cricket Board BCB has decided not to pursue any legal or arbitration route despite Bangladesh being excluded from the ICC T20 World Cup following the International Cricket Council’s decision.

The decision was finalised at a BCB board meeting held in Mirpur, where the board agreed to accept the ICC ruling.

After the ICC announcement, speculation circulated on social media that BCB could approach a court or an arbitration tribunal. However, since the decision was passed at the ICC board meeting by a 14–2 vote, the possibility of overturning it through legal means was uncertain from the outset.

Putting an end to all speculation, BCB director and media committee chairman Amzad Hossain said the board has no plan to take the matter any further.

“We have accepted the ICC board’s decision. Since the ICC has made it clear that we cannot play or that our matches will not be shifted elsewhere, it is not possible for us to go to India to play. We are standing by this position. We are not going for any arbitration or legal process,” he said.

Earlier, after a meeting with players on Thursday, Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the decision not to travel to India was entirely taken by the Bangladesh government. The BCB director’s comments reflected the same stance.

Amzad Hossain said that following the ICC board meeting, a cabinet meeting of the Bangladesh government was held, where a clear decision was taken that the team would not be able to participate in India unless the scheduled fixtures were changed.

He added that when the ICC asked for Bangladesh’s position within 24 hours, BCB reiterated the same decision out of respect for the government. “We informed the ICC politely that it is not possible for us to play under the current fixture,” he said.