Sports adviser wants Bangladesh's T20 WC matches shifted to Sri Lanka
Law and Sports Adviser of the interim government, Dr Asif Nazrul, has strongly protested the directive to remove Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on political grounds.
At the same time, citing security concerns, he has instructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking to move Bangladesh's matches in the upcoming World Cup from India to Sri Lanka.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In a social media post, the sports adviser said that the decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove Mustafizur Rahman by bowing to communal forces is completely unacceptable. He strongly condemned the incident and expressed his anger over the matter.
Dr Nazrul, who is overseeing the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the election period, said he has directed the BCB to formally seek an explanation from the ICC on the issue. "The board should make it clear that when a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being under contract, the entire Bangladesh cricket team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play in a World Cup," he wrote.
He added that he has also instructed the board to request that Bangladesh's World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.
In light of the situation, the BCB has been directed to make a strong demand to the ICC to host Bangladesh's World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as an alternative venue instead of India.
The adviser further stated that the government is taking a firm stance to protect Bangladesh's dignity. He has requested the adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to immediately stop all forms of IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh.
Stressing that there will be no compromise on the dignity of the country and respect for its cricketers, Dr Asif Nazrul wrote, "We will not accept any humiliation of Bangladesh cricket, its players or the country under any circumstances. The days of submission are over."
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