Decision not to play in world cup was mainly mine: Asif Nazrul

Former youth and sports adviser of the interim government Professor Asif Nazrul has said the decision not to play in the T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka in February-March this year was mainly his. A few hours after the publication of the investigation committee’s report on the matter, he took responsibility for the decision in his own Facebook post and at the same time questioned the necessity of investigating and publishing a report on this incident after so many days.

Highlighting the background of the decision not to go to the World Cup, Asif Nazrul wrote, “The incident originated from the humiliating exclusion of Mustafiz from the IPL on the instructions of the Indian cricket board under pressure from aggressive Hindutva forces. Immediately after that, we expressed our reluctance to go to India to play the World Cup in protest against the apprehension of insecurity and the insult to Bangladesh.”

He also mentioned an ICC report in support of their security concerns. Asif Nazrul wrote, “Our apprehension was not unfounded, as was acknowledged in the first report of the ICC. Three reasons for security concerns in India were mentioned there—if Mustafiz was in the World Cup team, if Bangladeshi supporters moved freely and in the context of the upcoming election in Bangladesh. BBC Bangla had also published a verbatim Bangla translation of that report. In this situation, why should we go to play in India?”

The former adviser also informed that attempts had been made to play the World Cup at another venue. He wrote, “We ultimately made many efforts to play the World Cup at another venue. We also received support from some countries. But perhaps due to the dominance of Indians in the leadership of the ICC, it was ultimately not possible. The most important matter is that no contact was made from the Indian authorities regarding taking us to India.”

Mentioning three matters that were given importance behind the decision, Asif Nazrul wrote, “Three matters behind my decision were extremely clear—the dignity of the country, the security of our cricketers-journalists-supporters and keeping the situation of the country stable before the upcoming election.”

He claimed that although there was apprehension at that time that matches of Bangladesh with foreign teams might stop if the World Cup was not played, it ultimately did not materialise. According to him, “That apprehension was also ultimately removed through various initiatives of our cricket board.”

Claiming his decision to be correct, Asif Nazrul said, “I believe we had taken the correct decision. It is not right to expect that someone will insult us as they wish because we are a small country, and we will always silently accept it. I believe in friendship with India on the basis of equal dignity, not in accepting everything by bowing the head.”

After the current government took charge, Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque formed a three-member investigation committee to inquire into the reasons for the Bangladesh team not playing in the World Cup. Committee chief and additional secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Dr. AKM Wali Ullah presented the investigation report at a press conference at the National Sports Council today.