Bangladesh won’t face India, PM backs stance
Bangladesh will not play India or Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a stance backed by the country’s Prime Minister this week amid ongoing political and security concerns. The decision, confirmed ahead of the tournament schedule, forces a reshuffle of group logistics and venues.
Bangladesh officials said the call was taken after consultations with the government and security agencies. “This is a matter of national interest and safety,” the Prime Minister said, according to local media. “Sport cannot be separated from responsibility.”
India batter Suryakumar Yadav responded calmly to the development, saying the team was prepared for changes. “Our focus is cricket. Our flight to Colombo is already booked,” he told reporters, indicating India’s readiness to adjust venues if required. A senior BCCI official added that “the ICC has contingency plans and the tournament will move forward.”
The situation adds another layer of complexity to an already tightly scheduled World Cup, with the ICC expected to finalise revised fixtures soon.