The ICC should not force Bangladesh to play on Indian soil

The schedule for another South Asian multi-nation cricket tournament remains clouded by uncertainty, with India once again at the centre of the discussion, seeking to leverage its usual influence. However, this time the scenario appears somewhat reversed, as India seems to be experiencing the consequences of its own approach, according to an editorial in Pakistan’s influential newspaper, Cricket Concerns.

The T20 World Cup, now less than a month away, is scheduled to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka. Yet Bangladesh has raised concerns over touring India, citing security issues. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently in discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move all of its matches to Sri Lanka instead.

Bangladesh’s apprehensions stem largely from deteriorating diplomatic relations with New Delhi and a recent incident involving fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The Kolkata Knight Riders, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, had acquired Mustafizur in the IPL auction. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) subsequently instructed the team to exclude him, citing “recently changed circumstances.”

The decision sparked widespread outrage in Dhaka. In protest, Bangladesh banned the broadcast of IPL matches and urged the ICC to relocate its World Cup fixtures away from India. Officials in Dhaka argued that if India could not guarantee the safety of a single player participating in the IPL, it could hardly ensure the security of an entire national squad during a World Cup.

The tournament, slated to begin on 7 February, faces renewed geopolitical tension. A prior understanding between Pakistan and India had slightly eased the situation: should a match be scheduled in one country, the other would play at a neutral venue. Accordingly, Pakistan will host its matches in Sri Lanka, as it did in last year’s Champions Trophy in the UAE.

Now, India finds itself needing to address the same type of security concerns raised by Bangladesh. In this context, the ICC’s responsibility is to make a fair and impartial decision. Under the leadership of its current chairman, former Indian cricket administrator Jay Shah, the council must resist any pressure to compel Bangladesh to play in India. Neutrality and the safety of all players must take precedence over politics or influence.

Tournament Overview