Bangladesh have not softened their position on playing matches in India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the country’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul reiterated on Tuesday.
Nazrul dismissed speculation that Scotland could take Bangladesh’s place at the tournament should they decide against travelling to India. Bangladesh have raised security-related concerns and formally requested the ICC to relocate their fixtures to co-host Sri Lanka instead.
Discussions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and ICC officials were held in Dhaka over the weekend in an attempt to break the deadlock, but the talks failed to produce a resolution. The BCB’s request to move venues came after the BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries.
With time running out, the ICC is understood to have set January 21 as the deadline for a final decision. Should Bangladesh withdraw, Scotland — the highest-ranked team that narrowly missed qualification — would need at least a two-week window to prepare for the global event.
Bangladesh also explored the possibility of swapping groups, but that proposal was rejected after Ireland indicated they were unwilling to agree to the change.
“I am not aware of any move to include Scotland in our place for the T20 World Cup,” Nazrul told reporters. “If the ICC gives in to pressure from the Indian cricket board and attempts to force us into accepting unreasonable terms, we will not agree to them.”
He pointed to past precedents where venues were altered following similar concerns. “There have been instances before where Pakistan declined to tour India and the ICC changed the venue,” he said.
“Our request is based on logical considerations. We cannot be compelled to play in India through pressure tactics that lack justification,” Nazrul added.
