Asif Nazrul’s remarks not ICC’s official response: BCB

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified that remarks made by Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding the ICC’s observations on Bangladesh’s security concerns in India is not an official response from the International Cricket Council.

The board emphasised that the matter is part of internal discussions between BCB and the ICC’s security department ahead of the T20 World Cup and no formal decision or written reply has yet been received.

On Monday afternoon, Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul stated that the ICC’s security team had provided three observations to BCB regarding Bangladesh’s security concerns in India.

However, the BCB clarified that Nazrul’s statement does not represent an official ICC response regarding the change of Bangladesh’s match venues.

The board said the matter is part of inter-departmental discussions between the ICC and BCB on security assessments for the World Cup.

In a press release on Monday night, BCB stated, "The statement referred to today by the Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports pertains to internal communication between the BCB and the ICC’s security department. This communication was part of a security risk assessment for the Bangladesh team ahead of the T20 World Cup and should not be interpreted as ICC’s final or official reply to BCB’s formal request to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India."

The board added that, in the interest of the team’s safety, it has formally conveyed its concerns to the ICC and requested that Bangladesh’s matches be held outside India. So far, BCB has not received any formal response or written decision from the ICC.

BCB confirmed that it is maintaining regular communication with the ICC and is awaiting an official reply.

NSA