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Bangladesh have refused to play their matches in India, citing safety concerns following soured political relations between the neighbours, and demanded to play them in Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament, instead.Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s demand to shift their matches at next month’s T20 World Cup outside India, the governing body said on Wednesday.
“The decision was taken after considering all security assessments conducted, including independent reviews, all of which indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, media persons, officials and fans at any of the tournament venues in India,” the ICC said in a statement after a board meeting.
“The ICC board noted that it was not feasible to make changes so close to the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events…”
PCB opposes Bangladesh’s exclusion
Meanwhile, speaking to the media today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will take decision in line with the Government of Pakistan’s direction.“Prime minister [Shehbaz Sharif] is currently not in the country. We will announce the final decision after he [PM] returns to the country,” Naqvi, who is also the chairman of PCB, said while responding to a question related to what would be Pakistan’s stance on ICC decision regarding Bangladesh.Terming the ICC’s decision unfair, Naqvi said he had stated in the ICC Board meeting as well that it cannot make decisions based on “double standards”.
“Bangladesh is a major stakeholder and it should be made part of the tournament,” he added.
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