Bangladesh Refuse to Play T20 World Cup Matches in India Over Security Concerns
Bangladesh will not play their scheduled Twenty20 World Cup matches in India, citing safety concerns for their players amid rising diplomatic and political tensions between the two countries, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Sunday. The decision follows the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman by his Indian Premier League team, Kolkata Knight Riders, reportedly at the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Bangladesh were set to play three group-stage matches in Kolkata next month in the February 7–March 8 tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, after an emergency meeting and advice from the Bangladesh government, the BCB formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to venues outside India, preferably Sri Lanka.
Relations between the two neighbours have deteriorated in recent weeks following communal violence in Bangladesh and political unrest that saw former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flee to New Delhi. Bangladesh officials said the treatment of Mustafizur raised serious concerns about player safety, with the ICC yet to respond publicly to the relocation request.
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