ICC has not mandated Bangladesh to play World Cup in India: BCB President

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has clarified that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not issued any directive requiring Bangladesh to play the upcoming World Cup in India.

In a Wednesday (January 7) interview, Bulbul dismissed a report by ESPNcricinfo as “baseless and false,” emphasising that ICC has never stated that Bangladesh would face point deductions or be forced to forfeit matches if it refused to travel to India.

He added that BCB maintains regular contact with several ICC officials, and no final decision has yet been communicated by the world cricket governing body.

The clarification comes after a late-night Cricinfo report sparked widespread concern on social media, claiming ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request to avoid India as a venue. BCB directors and the CEO confirmed no such official communication was received from ICC.

Bulbul further stated that ICC has asked BCB to explain why the team cannot travel to India. “We have already shared our security concerns in detail, and ICC requested a comprehensive report last night,” he said, adding that a full explanation will be submitted soon, based on which ICC will make its decision.

BCB reiterated that player safety remains its top priority and warned against spreading unverified reports while discussions with ICC are ongoing.