The Bangladesh Cricket Board warned that the political situation could threaten the future of cricket in Bangladesh after the West Indies Cricket Board on Monday decided to pull out their Under-19 side from ongoing tour due to security concerns.
The WICB’s decision has raised questions about Bangladesh’s ability to host the ICC World Twenty20 in March-April, as well as a home series against Sri Lanka beginning in January and the Asia Cup starting in February.
BCB president Nazmul Hasan admitted that the prevailing political crisis in the country needed to be resolved soon.
‘The quicker this political situation improves the better, and because the Sri Lanka tour and the Asia Cup is in January it needs to be solved before that,’ Nazmul told reporters at his Beximco office on Monday.
‘I have always appealed and got positive responses [from the politicians], and to date no political party has done anything to suggest they are against sports, and we can still appeal in advance,’ said Nazmul.
‘But if this situation prevails, then any big tournament or participation of any big country will be under threat. This must end in January and preferably in December.’
Observers said if the BCB fails to host the home series against Sri Lanka due to this political crisis it would be a severe blow to their chances of still hosting the World T20.
Though the series is expected to get underway in the last week of January, the BCB will have to begin preparing well before that time.
The BCB will need to finalise their TV rights deal before the series. They have not agreed to a long-term deal with anyone since the end of their deal with Nimbus.
The BCB will also require a stable political climate to complete other arrangements for the series.
Insiders suggest that failing to hold the series could be the last nail in the coffin for the BCB, which had already developed a cold relationship with Pakistan after refusing to visit the country for security reasons earlier.
Pakistan might retaliate by withdrawing their participation in the Asia Cup if the Sri Lankan tour is cancelled, BCB insiders fear.
There has not been any international cricket in Pakistan since a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in March 2009. However, the strength of Pakistan’s team still creates a demand for them to participate against top sides despite having to play all their series away from home.
The Bangladesh side does not enjoy the same standing, they said.
Nazmul however added that he does not think a similar fate awaits Bangladesh.
‘I think there is no chance of having a long-lasting impact due to this [political situation], though I am saying it through an assumption,’ said Nazmul.
‘We hope our political crisis will be solved before the World Twenty20, but if that doesn’t happen then sports cannot continue in any country,’ said Nazmul
-With New Age input
