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ICC Sends Delegation to Bangladesh Amid T20 World Cup Venue Dispute

The International Cricket Council is dispatching a delegation to Bangladesh for crucial face-to-face talks to break the deadlock over Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board, backed by the sports ministry, has taken a firm stance against playing any matches in India following the BCCI's instruction to KKR regarding player Mustafizur Rehman. Bangladesh's sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, confirmed the upcoming ICC visit but reiterated the country's unwavering position, expressing a desire to play their matches in Sri Lanka instead. The impasse persists despite a previous virtual meeting where the ICC noted the schedule was finalised, while the BCB insisted on relocating its matches.

Key Points: ICC Delegation to Bangladesh Over T20 World Cup Venue Row

  • ICC delegation for in-person talks
  • BCB refuses matches in India
  • Stems from Mustafizur Rehman IPL controversy
  • Previous virtual talks failed
  • Schedule already finalised
2 min read

ICC to send a delegation to Bangladesh amid T20 WC venue change row

ICC sends a team to Bangladesh for talks to resolve the impasse over Bangladesh's participation and venue changes for the T20 World Cup.

"There is no chance of us changing our stance. We are eager to play in the World Cup, particularly in Sri Lanka. - Asif Nazrul"

Dhaka, Jan 16

In a bid to resolve the ongoing impasse over Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the International Cricket Council is set to send a delegation to Bangladesh for in-person discussions ahead of the tournament scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.

ICC sources have confirmed to IANS that the delegation will travel in a few days for a final one-on-one meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board officials regarding the T20 World Cup, and a decision will be announced after it. The ICC's visit is seen as a crucial step, as previous attempts to resolve the issue via email and virtual meetings failed to yield any breakthrough.

"ICC delegation will travel to Bangladesh in a few days for a final one-on-one meeting with BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) officials regarding the T20 World Cup, and a decision will be announced after it," ICC sources told IANS.

The development comes after the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the sports ministry took a strong stand on not playing any matches in India, following the BCCI asking IPL franchise KKR to remove Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rehman from the squad.

Bangladesh's interim government Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, also informed the media about the visit. Speaking at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Nazrul said, "According to the latest updates, Mr. Aminul Islam informed me that an ICC team is likely to come to Bangladesh for discussions. There is no chance of us changing our stance. We are eager to play in the World Cup, particularly in Sri Lanka, and I strongly believe that organising this is not impossible," the sports adviser said, as quoted by The Daily Star.

The ICC previously held a video conference with the BCB. The meeting focused on Bangladesh's participation in the global tournament, with the BCB once again requesting that its matches be relocated outside India. While the ICC pointed out that the tournament schedule has already been finalised and urged the BCB to reconsider its position, the Bangladesh Cricket Board remained firm. Both sides agreed to continue discussions to find a possible resolution.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three games in India - against the West Indies (February 7), against Italy (February 9), and against England (February 14) in Kolkata - before moving to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan in Kolkata, I was really looking forward to seeing the Bangladesh team play here. It's disappointing that politics and board-level issues are overshadowing the sport. Players shouldn't be caught in the middle of this.
A
Aditya G
Honestly, the BCCI should have handled the Mustafizur situation with more sensitivity. It was a franchise decision, but it reflects poorly. That said, the World Cup is bigger than any bilateral tension. Hope sense prevails and Bangladesh plays all their scheduled matches.
P
Priyanka N
The ICC sending a delegation shows how serious this is. Last-minute venue changes for one team sets a bad precedent. Logistically, it's a nightmare. But if it keeps the tournament intact and Bangladesh participating, it might be worth the hassle.
K
Karthik V
Bangladesh's stance is understandable from a point of national pride. But cricket connects people. Their fans in India would love to see them play here. Hope the talks are successful and we get to see a full-strength World Cup.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think the BCB is being a bit rigid. The Mustafizur issue was an IPL franchise call, not an official BCCI snub to the Bangladesh nation. Holding the World Cup hostage over this seems like an overreaction. The ICC needs to show stronger leadership here.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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