T20 Venue Dispute: Bangladesh Firm on Not Playing in India
The T20 venue dispute has taken center stage ahead of next month’s World Cup. Bangladesh confirmed it will not travel to India for the tournament. As a result, the team now faces possible exclusion.
Bangladesh Stand Firm on Tournament Location
The cricket board announced the decision after a key meeting in Dhaka. Officials, advisers, and senior players joined the discussion. However, no compromise emerged from the talks.
Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul made the stance clear. He said the team wants to play the World Cup. Therefore, the issue remains only about location.
The board later approached the International Cricket Council. In addition, it requested a shift of matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC, however, refused to change the schedule.
Security Concerns Drive the Decision
Officials stressed that safety concerns guide the T20 venue dispute. Adviser Asif Nazrul said the fears came from real events. For example, a senior player faced threats during a previous visit.
According to him, the situation forced that player to leave India. The incident raised serious concerns within the team. As a result, confidence in player safety dropped.
Nazrul added there was no room to reverse the call. He said the decision protects players and their families. Therefore, the board remains united.
The ICC reportedly issued a short deadline to reconsider. However, the board rejected that approach. Bulbul said global bodies should act with flexibility.
He also highlighted the audience impact. Nearly 200 million fans follow cricket in the country. Excluding them could hurt the tournament’s reach.
Cricket’s growing global role added another layer. The sport enters the Olympics in 2028. In addition, future host bids make inclusion important.
Players still want to compete on the big stage. Government officials share that wish. However, safety remains the top priority.
Earlier this year, rising regional tensions worsened matters. A star pacer left his league team in India. Soon after, the board formally asked for neutral venues.
The World Cup begins on February 7. Bangladesh sits in England’s group. Currently, all scheduled matches remain in Indian cities.
