ICC calls Asif Nazrul’s claims on Bangladesh’s security ‘false’

A fresh controversy has emerged over Bangladesh’s security concerns surrounding the T20 World Cup in India, after the International Cricket Council (ICC) directly rejected several claims made by sports adviser Asif Nazrul, saying his remarks do not reflect any official ICC position.

Speaking to Indian news agency PTI, an ICC source said there had indeed been internal communication with the BCB about the security situation in India, but it had been misinterpreted. The source said Asif Nazrul’s statements do not match the facts.

Earlier, at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, January 12, the sports adviser claimed a letter from the ICC’s security department had warned of heightened risks for Bangladesh, citing three specific reasons.

According to Asif Nazrul, the first was the inclusion of left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the squad, the second was Bangladeshi supporters moving around in national team jerseys, and the third was that security risks would increase as Bangladesh’s national election draws closer.

He also said the ICC letter had suggested that having Mustafizur in the team would further complicate the overall security situation.

However, the ICC source flatly denied these claims, telling PTI that neither Mustafizur Rahman’s name nor any suggestion that his presence would raise security risks had been mentioned in any formal or informal message sent to the BCB, describing the claims as baseless.

The issue has already begun to affect cricket relations between the two countries. After the BCCI refused to release Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders for the tournament, the Bangladesh government suspended IPL broadcasts in the country.

Citing security concerns, Bangladesh has also proposed that some of its World Cup matches be moved from India to co-host Sri Lanka.

Under the current schedule, the T20 World Cup is due to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with Bangladesh’s first three group matches in Kolkata and the final group match in Mumbai.