Bangladesh Cricket said on Wednesday it was in talks with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a “practical” solution to its demand to move its T20 World Cup matches out of India.
India on Saturday forced Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman out of the Indian Premier League (IPL), sparking anger in Dhaka.
With relations strained between the two countries, Bangladesh wants the ICC to move its World Cup matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.
The World Cup begins on February 7 and Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group matches in India.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) senior official Nazmul Abedeen Fahim said AFP today, talks were underway with the ICC “on security issues.”
A statement from the BCB said it would “continue its constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant events authorities”, seeking an “affable and practical solution to ensure the smooth and successful participation of the team”.
The BCB said it was “firmly committed to giving the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being” of the team.
The ICC made no comment.
Bangladesh international Mustafizur was bought in the IPL auction in December by the Kolkata Knight Riders for over $1 million.
But he was fired on the “advice” of the Indian cricket board after what it called “recent developments”.
Political relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.
Indian Foreign Ministry last month sentenced what he calls “unrelenting hostility against minorities” in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, accused India of exaggerating the scale of the violence.
