We will stand firm on our decision: Bulbul

Dhaka, 7 Jan  - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has insisted that the board will stand firm on its decision, prioritizing security above all else regarding travel to India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

Speaking to the media today after a meeting with Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, 
Bulbul said the BCB has already formally communicated its concerns over 
safety and security to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the players. Beyond 
that, there are journalists, sponsors and thousands of supporters," he added.

"Since a government order is required for foreign tours, we are waiting for 
the government's guidance. If the security situation does not improve, we 
will fight for our rights."

The issue gained attention after the Board of Control for Cricket in India 
(BCCI) asked IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh 
star pacer Mustafizur Rahman, triggering fresh debate over security concerns.

"When it becomes difficult to ensure the safety of an international player 
like Mustafizur Rahman and he has to be released, it is natural for 
Bangladeshi fans to be concerned about his safety. This is a very logical 
question," Bulbul said.
 
Responding to a query on whether Bangladesh would maintain its objections 
even if other countries participated in the tournament, the BCB president 
said the board is not making any unrealistic demands.

"We are raising realistic and logical issues. We have played in many World 
Cups in the past, but we have never had to raise such security concerns," he 
added.

Despite the uncertainty, Bulbul confirmed that preparations for the T20 World 
Cup are continuing as planned.

"The squad for the T20 World Cup has already been announced, and one of the 
objectives of the ongoing BPL is to further prepare the team for the T20 
format. Preparations for the tournament are ongoing," he said.

Bulbul also dismissed reports claiming that the ICC had rejected BCB's 
request to shift matches out of India.
"The news is completely baseless. We have been in regular contact with the 
ICC. They have asked us to outline our specific concerns, and we are 
conveying them in writing," he clarified.

The BCB president acknowledged that the board is fully aware of the possible 
consequences of not participating in the World Cup. He cited past examples, 
noting that India have previously avoided touring Pakistan due to security 
concerns, while Pakistan has also skipped World Cups held in India.

"Even if we have to compromise on the World Cup due to security issues in 
India, we will remain firm on our stance. We are hoping for an acceptable and 
correct solution," Bulbul concluded.BSS