Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan on Friday asked for cooperation from all corners in the upcoming days so that international cricket continuity is not disrupted in Bangladesh as it has been in Pakistan. The BCB boss made his plea through the media at the Hazrat Shajalal International Airport after a successful trip to the ICC meeting in Dubai. Sri Lanka confirmed to the BCB that their tour of Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on January 27, would go ahead after their participation had been in doubt due to political violence in the country.
‘This is a very important time in Bangladesh because through some small incident if cricket is not played here for 15-20 years like Pakistan it will destroy our cricket,’ Nazmul told reporters.
‘Why did the West Indies Under-19 team leave?’ Nazmul asked before providing his own answer, ‘Because a cocktail exploded near their hotel.’
‘If such a thing happens again, it will all be over. The impact of such an incident would be even worse.’
‘The BCB cannot control every road and hotel in Bangladesh; it is quite a big country. We cannot stop someone from exploding a cocktail.’
‘We have done our part, but now it is the political parties, the government, media and the general public who have to take responsibility.’
‘We have discussed yesterday how this is the biggest World Cup, with 26 teams. There are so many tournaments lined up.’
The BCB boss admitted to having had a sleepless night before the ICC meeting as the BCB delegation were expecting a decision from Sri Lanka regarding the home series.
The BCB was even more concerned about their chances of remaining hosts for the Asia Cup from February 25 to March 8 and having full participation after Pakistan raised concerns about security.
‘We had a lot of tension but we don’t have that anymore at the moment,’ said Nazmul.
‘I basically think that we have done what we needed to do till now. We needed to make them understand that they should come here to play.’
‘This was our major challenge. To be honest, the situation was such that there was possibility of them not coming.’
‘Now Pakistan wants to come here, but they have some security issue,’ said Nazmul.
‘Pakistan’s participation remained quite uncertain, but after talking with them yesterday it seemed they will try.’
‘We have sent a security plan to all the countries. They will come here, maybe tell us to modify a few things. One team will arrive on January 20, comprising of all the participating nations,’ he added.
Nazmul also said that he is confident that everything had been put in place to ensure that there were no serious concerns for the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March-April.
‘If the Asia Cup isn’t held here, the World Twenty20 wouldn’t take place. If Sri Lanka didn’t come here, there was a big chance for the Asia Cup to be moved. All of these tournaments are connected. The biggest challenge was the Asia Cup because Pakistan had an objection.
‘Now that SL is coming, the Asia Cup is confirmed. And the World Twenty20 won’t be anywhere else as a result,’ he added.
-With New Age input
