Mustafizur Rahman row: Did ICC suggest Hyderabad, Chennai as alternate India venues to Bangladesh for T20 World Cup? BCB reveals

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Friday said the board is still waiting for a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on its concerns over playing T20 World Cup matches at venues in India, reiterating that Bangladesh’s position on the issue has not changed.

Bangladesh have conveyed their reluctance to tour India for the tournament, which begins on February 7, and have requested that their matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.


The concerns were raised after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the instructions of the BCCI for unspecified reasons. This came amid reports of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

"We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern," Bulbul told media persons, as cited by news agency PTI.

He said the BCB has clearly communicated its stand to the global body and added that shifting matches to another Indian city would not resolve the issue.

"Any alternate Indian venue at the end of the day is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken and we have to abide by the government's diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back."

Bulbul said the board would wait for the ICC’s response before deciding on the next step.

"I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he said.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Bulbul said he was not aware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible alternative venues.

"I haven't heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday."

Expressing confidence in the team, Bulbul said Bangladesh can do well, especially in sub-continental conditions.

"I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well," he said.

On the recent controversy involving former captain Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director calling Tamim a "traitor" was a personal opinion, and that he has sought an explanation.

"It was the personal opinion of the director and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public," Bulbul said.

Reflecting on his time in charge, Bulbul said the phase has been instructive for the board.

"It’s a learning experience for 25 board of directors. It’s a mix of ups and downs. But country comes first," he added.


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