Pakistan supports BCB stance on WC security issue

Online desk: Pakistan has thrown its weight behind Bangladesh as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raises security concerns over travelling to India for the T20 World Cup.

The ICC has held video conferences and in-person meetings in Dhaka with BCB officials but has yet to offer a clear resolution.

BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul, vice-president Sakhawat Hossain, and Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim met ICC representatives, including anti-corruption and security chief Azastu Efgrev, to press their case.

The board has asked that unless their demands for a venue change are met, Bangladesh’s participation could be reconsidered.

Pakistan has publicly supported Bangladesh’s stance. According to Pakistani media outlet Geo News, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated it may also reconsider taking part in the tournament if the ICC does not accommodate Bangladesh’s requests. This support adds a new layer of pressure on the tournament organisers ahead of the March event.

Speculation has also circulated about potential changes to the group-stage schedule. Rumours suggested Bangladesh could be moved into a different group, but Cricket Ireland has dismissed these claims, confirming to Cricbuzz that their fixtures remain unchanged and Bangladesh will play their matches in Sri Lanka.

The dispute follows wider controversies, including Mustafizur Rahman being dropped from the IPL Kolkata Knight Riders squad over allegations related to human rights in Bangladesh, further intensifying BCB’s caution about fixtures in India.