BCB to stay firm on ‘safety and security’ stance: Bulbul

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul said on Wednesday that the board will remain firm on its position over the security concerns of the Bangladesh contingent in terms of travelling to India for the ICC T20 World Cup.

Bulbul said this to the media after he and several other BCB directors had a meeting with Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today afternoon.

"We first wrote to the ICC regarding the importance of security and safety. While our scope is limited to looking after the players, there is a large population beyond them, including journalists, sponsors, and cricket lovers," Bulbul said, reiterating that they are remaining firm on their stance.

"Since a government order is required for any overseas trip, we are seeking the government's guidance. If safety and security do not improve, we will continue to fight for our rights regarding this World Cup.

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"This is a valid concern; we have played many World Cups before but never raised such issues until now," he added.

Before Bulbul spoke, Dr Asif Nazrul spoke on the issue, maintaining Bangladesh's firm stance on not travelling to India. 

"Our players' safety, Bangladesh's security and the dignity of the country are issues on which we will make no compromise. We want to play cricket, we want to play in the World Cup. There is another host country, Sri Lanka, and we want to play there."

"We are firm in this position. I hope we will be able to make the ICC understand why we are standing firm. We believe the ICC will consider our arguments impartially and sympathetically and ensure that we get the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup that we have earned through hard work."

ESPNCricinfo yesterday reported that the ICC have informed the BCB that either Bangladesh have to play their World Cup matches in India as scheduled or forfeit points. Bulbul, however, labelled such reports as propaganda.

"There is propaganda claiming the ICC informed us that playing in Sri Lanka is impossible, which is false news. We have been in communication with the ICC, and they have asked us to specify our issues. We are currently documenting those issues for them," he said.

Asked on what the consequences will be if Bangladesh do not travel to India, he held up past examples of similar instances.

"The BCB has certainly considered that. When the Champions Trophy was held [last year], India did not travel to Pakistan, and similarly, Pakistan did not go to India for the last few World Cups. Therefore, we hope for a proper resolution. If we have to compromise on the World Cup due to security issues in India, we will remain firm on our stance," he said.