Bangladesh Cricket Board Asks ICC to Swap T20 World Cup Group Matches with Ireland
In a recent development, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider swapping its national team with Ireland in Group C for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The primary aim behind this request is to enable Bangladesh to play their matches in Sri Lanka instead of India.
Currently, Bangladesh is placed in Group C alongside the West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal, with matches scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. On the other hand, Ireland is part of Group B along with Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman, and Zimbabwe, with matches set to take place in Colombo and Pallekele.
The BCB’s request comes in light of concerns regarding the security arrangements in India. A two-member ICC team, comprising Gaurav Saxena and Andrew Ephgrave, met with BCB officials in Dhaka to discuss the matter. While Ephgrave attended the meeting in person, Saxena joined virtually due to visa issues.
During the meeting, the BCB reiterated its desire to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, citing the safety and security of the team, fans, media, and other stakeholders as a top priority. However, the ICC is reportedly hesitant to accommodate this request due to logistical challenges and the impact it would have on the tournament schedule.
Notably, Bangladesh raised concerns about player safety following an incident involving national team pacer Mustafizur Rahman and his IPL contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders. The BCB has expressed willingness to engage in further dialogue with the ICC to find a mutually agreeable solution.
Both parties have committed to continuing discussions in a constructive manner, exploring possible alternatives such as moving Bangladesh to a different group to minimize logistical adjustments. The BCB and the ICC aim to reach a resolution that addresses the concerns raised while ensuring the smooth conduct of the T20 World Cup.
