Bangladesh Expresses Reluctance to Play T20 World Cup in India Amid Security Concerns

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has informed the ICC that it does not want to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing serious security concerns. According to BCB officials, multiple letters have already been sent to the ICC outlining the risks they believe the team may face if the tournament proceeds as scheduled on Indian soil.

In response, the ICC’s security unit has acknowledged that security risks would indeed remain if Bangladesh were to tour India.

ICC Flags Three Specific Security Concerns

According to sports adviser Asif Nazrul, while the BCB is still awaiting replies to two of its earlier letters, the ICC’s security team has already sent a separate communication highlighting three major areas of concern:

1. Mustafizur Rahman’s presence in the squad His inclusion has been flagged as a potential security risk, though the ICC letter did not publicly elaborate on the nature of the threat.
2. Bangladeshi supporters wearing team jerseys at stadiums The ICC warned that fans visibly identifying themselves as Bangladesh supporters could face safety risks inside or around match venues.
3. India’s national election period The closer India gets to its general election, the higher the security risk for the Bangladesh team, according to the ICC assessment.

These warnings have intensified BCB’s hesitation about sending the national team to India for the tournament.