Mustafiz's inclusion could increase Bangladesh team's security risk: ICC

Further uncertainty has emerged over Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup. Citing potential security risks Bangladesh could face if the tournament is held in India, the ICC's security department has recently sent a letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has added to the doubts.

Speaking at a press conference at the BFF Bhaban today, Youth and Sports Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul said the ICC's security letter mentioned three reasons why Bangladesh's security concerns could increase during the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. One of those reasons, he said, was the inclusion of left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the World Cup squad. According to the adviser, the letter stated that having Mustafizur in the team would heighten security risks.

The adviser explained that the ICC security team had highlighted three specific issues in its letter that could increase security threats to the Bangladesh team in India. "The letter says that Bangladesh's security concerns will increase if three things happen. First, if Mustafizur Rahman is included in the Bangladesh team. Second, if Bangladeshi supporters move around wearing the national jersey. And third, the closer Bangladesh's national election gets, the greater the security risk to the team," he said.

Terming the ICC's stance "bizarre" and "unjustified", the adviser added, "If the ICC expects us to build a team by leaving out our best bowler, stop supporters from wearing the national jersey, and delay an election just to play cricket, then there cannot be a more unrealistic expectation than this."

Strongly criticising the current political and social situation in India, Asif Nazrul said, "Given the aggressive communal atmosphere and the anti-Bangladesh environment prevailing in India right now—especially in the context of a sustained campaign over the last 16 months—it has become impossible to play cricket there. The Mustafizur issue and this ICC letter have proven that beyond any doubt."

At the press conference, the adviser made it clear that the ICC should not be run under the influence of any single country. "No one should have a monopoly over cricket. If the ICC is truly a global organisation and does not operate at India's behest, then Bangladesh must be given the opportunity to play in Sri Lanka. On this issue, we will not make any concessions," he said.
He also added, "I saw in the newspapers—I don't know whether it is true or not—that Pakistan has offered to host our tournaments. There is no problem with hosting in Pakistan, and there is no problem with hosting in the United Arab Emirates either."

In conclusion, the adviser said, "When there is no proper playing environment for one of our players, and when the national cricket board of India—a national authority—bows to these aggressive communal forces and says that he should not be allowed to play there, what greater proof does the ICC need? This clearly proves beyond any doubt that there is no playing environment for us there. There is no environment to play anywhere in India."