Bangladesh Will Not Bow to the Indian Board

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday, January 20, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul made it clear that Bangladesh cannot be forced to play in India through any form of irrational pressure.

His remarks came in response to a report by the French news agency AFP, which suggested that "Scotland would play if Bangladesh does not attend." The adviser stated that the government has no official information regarding whether another country would replace Bangladesh if they chose not to participate.

The Sports Adviser noted that the cricket world has previously seen precedents where the ICC was forced to change venues in Pakistan due to objections from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Drawing on that context, he said that Bangladesh has raised the demand for a venue change for very logical reasons. If the ICC attempts to impose any irrational conditions or decisions on Bangladesh by bowing to the influence of the Indian board, Bangladesh will never accept it. He clarified that the Cricket Board would take its next steps while maintaining the country's dignity and logical position.

Asif Nazrul further asserted that Bangladesh would not succumb to any unfair decisions from the ICC or the BCCI. The government and the Cricket Board are working together to ensure the country's sovereignty and a fair environment for cricket. He expressed his belief that as an international organization, the ICC should play a neutral role, and the policy adopted in Pakistan's case should be no different for Bangladesh. He also reassured sports enthusiasts that the government remains firm in resolving the concerns regarding this venue complication.