BCB to reach a decision regarding T20 World Cup participation today

The Bangladesh government and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have decided not to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup to be held in India next month due to security concerns. The decision has been officially informed to the ICC, the world cricket governing body.

The BCB has proposed alternative means such as hosting Bangladesh's matches in co-host Sri Lanka or moving Bangladesh from Group 'C' to Group 'B'. However, the ICC has not agreed to any of these proposals. Despite several rounds of letters and direct meetings between ICC and BCB officials, no solution has been reached.

A video conference was held yesterday at the initiative of the ICC to find a solution to this situation. ICC Chairman Jay Shah, CEO Sanjog Gupta, Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja, GM Gaurav Saxena and ICC Anti-Corruption Chief Andrew F. Grave, who was meeting in Dhaka, attended the meeting. BCB Chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul was present on behalf of Bangladesh. In addition, board directors of full ICC member countries participated in it. BCCI Secretary Debjit Saikia, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other board heads or directors were present at the meeting.

The outcome of the discussion at the meeting was largely predictable. Only the Pakistan Cricket Board took a stand in favor of Bangladesh not playing the World Cup in India. According to Pakistani media reports, the PCB voted in favor of the BCB's proposal on the instructions of the Pakistani government. On the other hand, the boards of the remaining teams participating in the World Cup took a stand against Bangladesh. The majority of the votes were in favor of Bangladesh going to India to play the World Cup.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the ICC said that they do not see any security threat to the players, journalists and spectators of the Bangladesh team on Indian soil. At the same time, the organization referred to Mustafizur Rahman's exclusion from the IPL as an isolated incident. As a result, according to the ICC's decision, Bangladesh will have to participate in the World Cup in India.

The ICC also said that if the BCB fails to send a team, then another country will participate in the World Cup in Group 'C' instead of Bangladesh. According to the ranking, Ireland may get a chance in that case.

In such a situation, there is a fear that the T20 World Cup will be held on February 7 without Bangladesh on Indian soil. However, the BCB has been given one more day by the ICC to reconsider its decision. The final decision on whether Bangladesh will play the World Cup in India and not Sri Lanka will be communicated to the BCB by today.