EXCLUSIVE – ‘Bangladeshi people will be sabotaged’:BCB remain firm on T20 World Cup stance, ‘We might play against India in the future’

The controversy over Bangladesh deciding not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup after Mustafizur Rahman was omitted from the IPL (Indian Premier League) has dominated headlines in the past few days. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cited security reasons and sought relocation of their matches to another venue. Speaking to Bhaskar English, BCB director Asif Akbar spoke openly about the BCB’s stance and their discussion with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on relocating their T20 World Cup matches. Akbar, in an earlier interaction with us, had revealed that Mustafizur was ‘sad’ and ‘upset’ after he was left out of the IPL. ‘Bangladeshi people will be sabotaged’: Asif Akbar Akbar spoke about the ICC’s discussion with the BCB and revealed that the board could communicate to the apex body that they are firm on their decision to not go to India. “The ICC has sympathised with Bangladesh on the plea to relocate our T20 World Cup matches. They have also sought suggestions from us. ICC is also giving us more clarity on Indian law and security and they are awaiting our response. We don’t think we will feel secure. We will mail them and informing our final decision- we will not go to India to play,” he said. Expressing concern, Akbar feared Bangladeshis might get sabotaged in India. He said, “Even if they change our venue from Kolkata to any other state, we won’t go. Because we anticipate that our people, be it fan or journalist, might be sabotaged,” adding, “I am assuming that Indians won’t do anything, but they are Bangladeshi criminals who are in India’s shelter who can harm us.” Also read: ‘No ultimatum from ICC’, BCB clarify their stance:Bangladeshi board hits back at ‘false’ claims over shifting of T20 World Cup matches Asif Akbar says Bangladesh not prepared to handle any ‘unfortunate situation’ in India Travelling to India to play the T20 World Cup might lead to any unfortunate incident, which Bangladesh’s interim government is not in a position to handle at the moment “We are prepared to go play in Sri Lanka. We have decided not to go to India. We are clear on why we don’t want to go to India.” “Today, the BCB had a meeting with the sports and legal adviser. At the moment, our interim government are not in a position to handle responsibility in case of an unfortunate incident. We also cannot release our players in any uncertainty,” he opined. Did the BCB talk with the BCCI amid the controversy over T20 World Cup relocation of matches? No, says Akbar. “We are not dealing with the BCCI. We are talking with the ICC. We have informed the ICC and whether they talk to the BCCI or not is their policy. We will mail them by tomorrow and our decision is made today. BCCI might have a say in this later and we will look into it. We will also await ICC’s decision,” he said. ‘We might play against India in the future’, says Asif Akbar Amid the ongoing controversy, a report surfaced online which stated that ICC has asked the BCB to continue with their normal T20 World Cup schedule or risk forfeiting points. Akbar, however, rubbished all such talk, terming it as propaganda. He said, “This is a sort of propaganda that was spread on online platforms that we have to play in India, or we will lose points.” “We are not asking for any hybrid model. Our decision is only for this tournament. We are not bothered by the model Pakistan is following. We might play against India in the future. But that is for the future. We are not going to India for the T20 World Cup,” added Akbar. Also read: ‘How can India provide security to Bangladesh team?’:Mustafizur Rahman ‘sad’ after being left out of IPL, reveals BCB director Asif Akbar ‘No development so far’: Asif Akbar on Mustafizur Rahman receiving NOC for playing PSL The Pakistan Super League (PSL) announced on social media that Mustafizur would play in the competition. However, Akbar stated that there has been no particular development in this regard. “Bangladeshi players will play wherever they get respect be it PSL or whichever tournament,” he concluded.