Bangladesh’s firm stance on WC puts ICC in bind

Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India over security concerns and what it calls a matter of national dignity has put the International Cricket Council, ICC, in a difficult position, with ICC chair Jay Shah set to hold urgent talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, BCCI, on Sunday.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board, BCB, is making its strongest effort yet to have World Cup matches moved away from India. On Thursday, it sent a detailed email to the ICC stating that players face security risks in India. In a second letter, the BCB made it clear that the issue has gone beyond logistics or security and has become a matter of national dignity. Bangladesh has demanded that if the team has to play in India, the highest level of personal security must be ensured for every squad member, with players, coaches and officials all kept under full protection.

Without Bangladesh, staging the World Cup would be almost impossible. As a result, Jay Shah faces not only legal and political complications but also a major blow to the Asian Cricket Council’s financial calculations. How Shah, an Indian national, manages this tense situation in a neutral manner has now become a key focus.

According to the schedule, Bangladesh are due to begin their World Cup campaign against West Indies in Kolkata on February 7.

The controversy was triggered by the decision to drop Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. Under pressure from political and religious groups in India, Kolkata Knight Riders sidelined Mustafizur on the instruction of the BCCI. In protest, the Bangladesh government halted the broadcast of the IPL in the country, and the BCB refused to play the World Cup in India, citing security concerns.