Nazrul u-turn: Players and BCB decided to skip WC

Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who had insisted that the country’s refusal to play its T20 World Cup matches in India was driven by his government’s security concerns, now says that the decision was taken by the Cricket Board and the players to “protect national dignity”. Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after the ICC declined the country’s request of shifting its share of games to Sri Lanka. However, the world body has decided against penalising the nation for its stance.

Nazrul took centre-stage during the failed negotiations with the ICC prior to the team’s ouster and had insisted that it was the Bangladesh government’s prerogative to not send the team out of security worries. “There is no question of regret (not playing the World Cup). This decision was taken by the BCB and the players as they made sacrifices for the safety of the country’s cricket, the safety of the people and to protect national dignity,” Asif was quoted as saying by ‘Cricbuzz’ on Tuesday.

Last month, Nazrul, after talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the players, had taken a hard-line position. “I think we did not get justice from ICC. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision,” he had asserted on January 22. In the aftermath of their ouster, Pakistan had announced a boycott of the game against India to show solidarity with Bangladesh.

However, that impasse was resolved after hectic negotiations that also involved the BCB. Bangladesh, while expressing gratitude towards Pakistan, asked them to show up for the match against India in the larger interest of the game. The Pakistan government eventually withdrew the boycott call. “The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and that Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. This is a brilliant achievement. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” Nazrul said.