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Decision to skip World Cup was mine: Asif Nazrul
Published : Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Observer Online Report
Former youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul has said the decision not to send Bangladesh to India for the T20 World Cup was his own, following the publication of an investigation report that held him and the interim government responsible.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Nazrul said he had already acknowledged publicly several times that he made the decision in his capacity as sports adviser.
He questioned why the Ministry of Youth and Sports had conducted and published an investigation into the matter after such a long time.
Explaining his decision, Nazrul said the issue began after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League following what he described as pressure from “extreme Hindu nationalists” and instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
He said Bangladesh subsequently raised concerns over the safety of its players, journalists and supporters and protested what he called an insult to the country.
Nazrul claimed an initial ICC report had also acknowledged security concerns in India, citing three factors: Mustafizur’s presence in Bangladesh’s World Cup squad, the movement of Bangladeshi supporters in India and the political situation ahead of Bangladesh’s election.
He said the government had made several attempts to arrange Bangladesh’s World Cup matches at alternative venues and received support from some countries, but the efforts ultimately failed.
According to Nazrul, Indian authorities also did not contact Bangladesh about bringing the team to India.
He said his decision was based on three considerations: the country’s dignity, the safety of players, journalists and supporters, and maintaining stability ahead of the election.
Nazrul also rejected concerns that skipping the tournament would isolate Bangladesh from international cricket, saying efforts by the Bangladesh Cricket Board had prevented such a situation.
“I believe we made the right decision,” he said, adding that Bangladesh should maintain friendship with India on the basis of equal dignity rather than “bowing down and accepting everything.”
MaT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
