The landscape of the upcoming T20 World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move its T20 World Cup matches next month from India to co-host Sri Lanka. The request was made due to “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of the Bangladesh team.
Additionally, the ICC, under chairman Jay Shah, has begun working on a revised schedule for the tournament, according to a report by The Indian Express.
What was the original schedule of Bangladesh?
As per the original plan, Bangladesh were supposed to play three Group C matches in Kolkata. These included the opening match against West Indies on February 7, followed by games against Italy on February 9 and England on February 14. Their final group match was scheduled against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.
The BCB’s decision came a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming IPL season. The BCCI cited “recent developments”, which is believed to be linked to the ongoing internal unrest in Bangladesh.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh vs West Indies | Feb 7 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3 PM IST |
| Bangladesh vs Italy | Feb 9 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 11 AM IST |
| Bangladesh vs England | Feb 14 | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3 PM IST |
| Bangladesh vs Nepal | Feb 17 | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7 PM IST |
BCB holds ‘emergency meetings’
Following the IPL-related decision, the BCB held two “emergency meetings” within 24 hours, including a virtual meeting on Sunday afternoon. After these discussions, the board decided not to send the team to India.
“The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in its statement.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” it said.
The BCB’s decision looked certain from the moment Sports Adviser to the interim government Asif Nazrul shared a Facebook post saying, “The Board should make it clear that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite (being) contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to the World Cup. I have also instructed the board (BCB) to request its matches be held in Sri Lanka”.
