Amid growing uncertainty over where Bangladesh will play its T20 World Cup fixtures, Pakistan has offered to host the team’s matches as a neutral and secure venue, sources said on Sunday.
The matches could be played in Pakistan if the International Cricket Council (ICC) grants its approval.
India and Sri Lanka are the official hosts of the T20 World Cup, but Sri Lanka lacks sufficient stadiums to host all matches.
Bangladesh has reportedly refused to play its matches in India due to security concerns and has requested that its games be moved to Sri Lanka instead.
The ICC is currently reviewing the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request.
Asif Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh’s sports adviser, said the Bangladeshi team wanted to participate in the World Cup but preferred to play its matches in Sri Lanka rather than India.
According to the sources, the BCB has submitted a detailed letter to the ICC outlining security concerns not only for players but also for media personnel, fans, and other stakeholders, as well as issues related to visas.
The BCB stated in its letter that India is not a safe country for cricket and that political influence and extremist elements have affected all aspects of the game in India.
Citing previous incidents, the board highlighted the case of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who faced pressure in India over his participation in the IPL, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to remove him from the team.
Given such experiences, the BCB emphasised that it wants its World Cup matches to be held in a secure environment so that players and stakeholders can participate without fear.
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