Comments cited by Asif Nazrul did not come from the ICC, BCB says

Sports Desk

Even at the time of his departure, Asif Nazrul, the sports advisor to the interim government, has created extreme controversy. He is in trouble for lying in the name of the ICC. Today, at a program at BFF, he said that the ICC security team has given three conditions in a letter, saying that they themselves are also concerned about the security of Bangladesh. Later, the BCB sent a press release saying that this is not an official response from the ICC.

In an official statement, the BCB said, “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would like to clarify the reports regarding the recent communication with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Bangladesh National Team and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The communication mentioned today through the advisor to the Ministry of Youth and Sports was essentially an internal communication between the BCB and the ICC’s security department. This was regarding the security risk or threat assessment for the Bangladesh team ahead of the T20 World Cup. This is not an official response to the BCB’s request to shift Bangladesh’s matches outside India.”

BCB did not clarify in their statement who the concerns were. However, after investigation, it was found that it was BCB that had originally conveyed some concerns to ICC on various issues. ICC only listened to them. It did not comment.

The BCB reaffirms that it has formally raised the venue concerns and requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved out of India in the interest of team safety. The board confirms that it is awaiting a formal decision from the ICC on the matter.

At a function at BFF in the afternoon, Asif said, “You must have come here to know the news of cricket. We have no new developments in the field of cricket. We have given two letters and are waiting for the ICC’s reply. One thing has happened in between which we need to inform you. The ICC’s security team has given a letter. In that letter, it is said that if three things happen, the security risk of the Bangladesh team will increase.”

“First, if Mustafiz is included in the Bangladesh team. Second, if the Bangladesh team’s supporters walk around wearing the national jersey. And third, as the elections approach, the security risk to the Bangladesh team will increase. This statement by the ICC security team proves that there is no environment suitable for the Bangladesh team to play the T20 World Cup in India.”

Asif claims that the ICC has also said that the Bangladesh elections should be postponed. Asif said that the Bangladesh elections are actually the West Bengal assembly elections. And it is the BCB, not the ICC, that has expressed concern about that.