Bangladesh sports advisor: 'We will not compromise' on refusal to play in India

Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government's sports advisor, said on Monday that Bangladesh would play the ICC T20 World Cup anywhere except India. This follows reports that Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram emerged as options for Bangladesh's World Cup matches after a standoff between the BCB and BCCI. The tension began after KKR released Mustafizur Rahman, citing political tensions between the two nations.

"I already said India means India. We are talking about India; we did not say Kolkata. So our position is, if you change it from Kolkata and give another venue – Sri Lanka can be given, no problem," Nazrul told reporters.

"I saw in the newspapers, I do not know whether it is true or false, that Pakistan has offered to host our tournaments. Hold it in Pakistan, no problem. Hold it in the United Arab Emirates, no problem," he said.

Nazrul referenced an ICC security assessment report that suggested problems could arise if Bangladesh picks Mustafizur Rahman in their squad or if their fans cannot wear their national jersey. "In terms of cricket, we have no development. We have sent two letters, and after sending the letters we are awaiting response from the ICC," said Nazrul.

He detailed the ICC security team's letter, stating: "If Mustafizur is included in the Bangladesh team, if supporters of the Bangladesh team move around wearing Bangladesh's national jersey… and as the election comes closer, the security risk for the Bangladesh team will allegedly increase."

"This statement from the ICC security team has undoubtedly proven that there is no situation whatsoever for the Bangladesh cricket team to play the T20 World Cup in India. If the ICC expects that we will form a cricket team by excluding our best bowler, that our supporters will not be able to wear Bangladesh's jersey, and that we will postpone Bangladesh's election in order to play cricket – then there cannot be any expectation more bizarre, unrealistic, or unreasonable than this," he said.

Nazrul cited "the aggressive communal situation prevailing in India and the anti-Bangladesh environment there," adding, "it has become impossible for Bangladesh to play cricket in India. The Mustafizur episode and, after that, the letter I mentioned to you have undoubtedly proven this."

"We believe no one should have a monopoly over playing cricket. The fate of an entire sport or a tournament cannot be determined on the basis of market management," he said.

"If the ICC truly wants to be a global organization, and if the ICC does not rise and sit at India's command, then we must be given the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. We will not make any compromise on this issue," Nazrul stated.

BCB officials added that they are waiting for an official response from the ICC after requesting a change of World Cup venues.