The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will appeal to the country’s military backed interim government in a final bid to try and have the team play next month’s Twenty20 World Cup after their request for its matches on grounds that they may not be safe was rejected here on Wednesday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s executive board has thrown out Bangladesh’s worries over the safety and security of its players and fans in India due to political problems between the South Asian neighbours.
Bangladesh have been told by the sport’s world body that their demand to play in Sri Lanka has been rejected and now face a tough choice of either retracting their demand or making way for another team in the global showpiece, starting February 7.
“I had sought time from the ICC board to speak once more with my government for the last time,” BCB president Aminul Islam told reporters after hearing the ICC decision.
“They said, ‘It’s a good point’ and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them.”
“We know that India is not safe for us. We continue with the understanding that we are here to play cricket in Sri Lanka. I realize the ICC has turned us down — but we will talk to government one more time. I will let the ICC know about the government feedback.”
Mindful of a backlash, should they execute a volte-face on playing in India, Aminul said the players were desperate to participate in the World Cup.
“I am looking for miracle by ICC. “I mean, who doesn’t want to play in the World Cup?” he said.
“Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The government of Bangladesh wants Bangladesh to play in the World Cup. But we don’t consider India a safe place for our players.”
Political relations between the neighbours have soured in recent years and cricket has been affected.
IPL 2020: Mustafizur Rahman released by Kolkata Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was omitted from the Indian Premier League beginning this year despite signing for its Kolkata franchise.
Bangladesh retaliated by banning IPL in the country and threatening to play their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
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