Bangladesh firm on playing WC matches in Sri Lanka: Asif Nazrul

Youth and Sports Adviser Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul on Friday reiterated that Bangladesh is committed to playing World Cup cricket matches in Sri Lanka, saying, “We have no chance to move away from our stance.”

He made the remarks during a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where he was briefing journalists on the weekly meeting of the Council of Advisers.

Prof. Nazrul said the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to visit Bangladesh soon for discussions regarding the issue.

“We are strongly determined to play the World Cup matches and want them to be held in Sri Lanka. We firmly believe that hosting the matches there is feasible,” he added.

Addressing comments made by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director M. Najmul Islam concerning national cricketers, Prof. Nazrul described the remarks as “the outcome of an unwanted circumstance.”

He emphasized that the entire nation stands united in support of cricketer Mustafizur Rahman and called BCB director’s comment “insulting and demeaning to all Bangladeshi cricketers.”

“This seems extremely irresponsible to me,” Prof. Nazrul said, noting that it is an internal matter for the Cricket Board, which will take appropriate action.

SH