Mustafizur Rahman (Photo AFP) NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been directed by the country’s sports ministry to seek to shift Bangladesh T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing “player safety concerns” following the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL on BCCI’s instructions.Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released the Bangladeshi left-arm pacer – bought for Rs 9.20 crore after a bidding war at an auction in Abu Dhabi last month – in compliance with BCCI’s dictates.
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BCB president and former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comments after an emergency board meeting held following the development.But government adviser Asif Nazrul said he had directed the board to approach the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league matches – three scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai – to Sri Lanka.“As adviser in-charge of the Sports Ministry, I have directed the Cricket Control Committee to put the matter in writing and explain to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.“The committee must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite having a contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe traveling to India for the World Cup.”“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka,” he wrote further.Bangladesh’s four league matches are against the West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9) and England (February 14) in Kolkata, followed by their final group game against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.However, a BCCI source claimed that such a shift is virtually impossible with just a month left for the tournament.“You can’t just change games on someone’s whims and fancies. It’s a logistical nightmare. Think about the opposition teams. Their flights and hotels are booked.”“Also on all days there are three matches each, which means one match is in Sri Lanka. The broadcast crew is there. So it’s easier said than done,” the source said.India’s arch-rivals Pakistan are already playing their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka as part of an agreement reached months ago.Meanwhile, India-Bangladesh relations have soured sharply following the ouster of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last August following anti-government protests.She was later sentenced to death by a tribunal in absentia for her alleged role in a fatal strike during an agitation in which several students were killed.While the BCCI did not specifically cite the prevailing political situation as the reason for requesting Rahman’s release, it said the decision was prompted by recent developments.Hindus have been the target of violent attacks since Hasina’s ouster.
