Following the recent developments in the cricketing world, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been urged by its sports ministry to consider relocating the country’s T20 World Cup league matches from India to Sri Lanka due to concerns about player safety. This decision comes in the wake of Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public statements after an Emergency board meeting, while government advisor Asif Nazrul directed the Board to appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move Bangladesh’s four league games from Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka.
The advisor emphasized the importance of player safety, especially in light of Rahman’s situation, and called for a formal request to shift the World Cup matches to a safer location. Bangladesh’s upcoming league games against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal are currently scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.
While the BCCI source expressed logistical challenges in relocating the matches on short notice, it is important to note that Pakistan has already shifted its World Cup games to Sri Lanka. The strained relationship between India and Bangladesh following political unrest adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Nazrul also called for the suspension of IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh to show solidarity with Bangladeshi cricket and ensure that no disrespect is shown towards the nation or its players. The BCB is seeking official communication from the BCCI regarding Rahman’s contract termination before deciding on the next steps.
Overall, the recent events in the cricketing world have raised concerns about player safety, international relations, and the impact on upcoming tournaments. It remains to be seen how the authorities will address these issues and ensure the smooth conduct of the T20 World Cup.
