Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman Slams ICC Over Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Exclusion

However, the absence of the "Tigers" has sparked a massive outcry, with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issuing a strongly worded protest via his verified Facebook page.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed deep resentment, labeling the exclusion a "planned conspiracy" and a national insult. He stated that while the nation’s eyes should have been on the television screen cheering for a victory, the people have been robbed of that joy. He addressed the national cricketers directly, expressing his solidarity and asserting that there should be no compromise when it comes to the dignity and dreams of the country. He further criticized "hegemonic forces" for the situation and vowed that Bangladesh would eventually return to the international stage with honor and strength.

The controversy stems from a month-long standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Citing severe security concerns for players and staff in India—following incidents involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman and threats from extremist groups—the BCB and the interim government refused to send the team to Indian venues. They requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches to neutral grounds in Sri Lanka. After the ICC rejected this demand and a final 24-hour ultimatum passed, the governing body replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in Group C.

The exclusion has already impacted the tournament's commercial success. Reports from Kolkata indicate a disastrous slump in ticket sales at the Eden Gardens, where Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play three matches. Additionally, the crisis has taken a regional turn, with Pakistan announcing a boycott of its high-voltage group match against India in Colombo to show solidarity with Bangladesh. Despite requests from the ICC and Sri Lanka Cricket to reconsider, the Pakistan government has remained firm in its decision.