ICC letter warns Mustafiz’s inclusion in WC could raise security risk

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) warning that including Mustafiz in the World Cup squad could increase the team’s security risk.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul informed this at a press conference at the BFF building on Monday, January 12.

He said the letter explicitly stated that Mustafiz’s presence in the squad could heighten security concerns for the team.

Youth and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has stated that Bangladesh will not accept a forced change of venue for its T20 World Cup matches in India, citing unsafe conditions.

Although media reports suggest matches could be moved from Kolkata and Mumbai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram in southern India are also under discussion as alternative venues.

Dr Nazrul warned that Bangladesh will not accept any ICC decision that compromises security. He said, “The ICC’s security team highlighted three factors that would increase risks for the Bangladesh team in India. This assessment proves that conditions in India are not safe for World Cup matches. Bangladesh should be given the opportunity to play in Sri Lanka, and we will not concede on venue change.”

The joint T20 World Cup is scheduled to start in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. According to the current schedule, Bangladesh will play three matches in Kolkata, starting against West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7, then Italy on February 9, and England on February 14. Subsequently, Bangladesh will face Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.