BCB Questions ICC Consistency, Cites Champions Trophy Precedent in Venue Dispute

Aminul Islam said the International Cricket Council showed unequal treatment by allowing India to play all their 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, while rejecting Bangladesh’s request to play T20 World Cup games outside India.

"The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003, but we pointed out their recent steps in a similar matter," Aminul said. "When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organised a neutral venue for them. The team played all their Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played in one ground, staying in one hotel. It was a privilege."

Bangladesh maintains a firm stance due to security concerns over traveling to India. Aminul told the ICC that a middle-ground solution of allowing Bangladesh to play in Sri Lanka was worth consideration.

"We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts, but they are not co-hosts. Sri Lanka is part of the hybrid model where one country is going to play," Aminul said. "We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant (to let us play in India), we want to take that option. Still, they denied our request. We will communicate with the ICC today. We are ready to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka. We don't want to play in India."

The ICC has stated that there is no credible security threat to Bangladesh in India. It warned that changing venues close to the tournament could undermine future events, keeping the ICC venue controversy in mind. Aminul warned that these decisions could have wider effects for world cricket.

"We are proud of Bangladesh cricket, but we are doubtful about world cricket," he said. 

"When cricket's popularity is in decline, ICC is denying a cricket-loving country of 200 million people. Cricket is going to the Olympics in 2028. India is bidding for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, but it will be a failure if such a country [Bangladesh] is not going to the World Cup. We are not giving up on playing the World Cup."

When asked about the ICC’s 24-hour deadline, Aminul responded: "A global organisation cannot give a deadline of 24 hours. We will keep fighting."

At this point, the Bangladesh T20 World Cup situation is still on the border separating sport, government, and international politics.