Bangladesh will not play their Twenty20 World Cup matches in India following the release of bowler Mustafizur Rahman by his Indian Premier League (IPL) team, amid escalating tensions between the two countries, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed on Sunday, according to Reuters.
Kolkata Knight Riders announced on Saturday that they had released the Bangladesh pacer after receiving instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, as part of the February 7–March 8 tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh Cricket Board cites safety concerns
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today,” Nazrul said in a statement.
“We welcome this decision taken in the context of the extreme communal policy of India’s cricket board.”
The decision follows a violent incident in Bangladesh last month, when a Hindu factory worker, Dipu Chandra Das, was beaten and set on fire in the Mymensingh district by a crowd accusing him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with the killing.
Tensions worsen India-Bangladesh cricket ties
The incident further strained relations between India and Bangladesh, which were already tense after protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led her to briefly flee to New Delhi.
After Mustafizur’s release, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting and planned to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting that their matches be relocated and citing concerns over player safety.
“The board said that where a Bangladesh cricketer can’t play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladesh cricket team can’t feel safe to go to the World Cup,” Nazrul said.
“I have also instructed the board to request Bangladesh World Cup games to be held in Sri Lanka.”
Last year, the ICC allowed India to play Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to soured relations with hosts Pakistan. On Sunday, cricket news site Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would ask the BCCI for a formal explanation regarding Mustafizur’s release.
Bangladesh are scheduled to face West Indies, England and Italy in Kolkata, before concluding the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai. The ICC and BCB did not immediately respond to requests for comment.