Bangladesh denies visa to Indian ICC official

Controversy over Bangladesh cricket team’s refusal to play in India during the T20 World Cup

New Delhi – The T20 World Cup is set to begin next month, on February 7, but uncertainty remains over whether the Bangladesh team will travel to India. To resolve this issue, a two-member delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) was scheduled to visit Dhaka. However, according to media reports, Bangladesh has denied a visa to an ICC official of Indian origin who was part of this delegation.

1. Of the two ICC officials scheduled to visit Dhaka to hold discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, one was an official of Indian origin. Accompanying him was Andrew Ephgrave, the ICC’s Head of Anti-Corruption and Security.

2. According to a report by Bangladesh-based outlet BD News 24, only Ephgrave arrived in Dhaka. Since Bangladesh did not grant a visa to the ICC official of Indian origin, only one member of the ICC delegation was able to reach Dhaka as against the original plan.

Background of the T20 World Cup dispute

In view of increasing anti-India activities in Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had decided not to allow Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) scheduled to be held in India in April. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had objected to this decision. In the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh is scheduled to play four group-stage matches in India.

However, citing security concerns, Bangladesh has requested the ICC that these matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is a joint host of the tournament. With the tournament starting on February 7, ICC officials are attempting to persuade the Bangladesh Cricket Board to agree to playing in India through discussions.

Editorial Perspectives

• Bangladesh consistently engages in anti-India activities and openly displays hostility toward India. Despite this, India continues to adopt a soft stance. When will India respond in a language that Bangladesh understands?
• Basically, why should the Bangladeshi cricket team be allowed to play in India at all? In fact, the BCCI should have firmly stated that the Bangladeshi team would not be allowed to play in India. However, since the board appears to have no concern for Indian self-respect, Bangladesh dares to insult India in this manner.