Sports advisor to meet players on World Cup issue

After the last ICC meeting, Bangladesh found itself in a corner. The ICC has to inform the ICC by today whether they will play the World Cup. Otherwise, Scotland, who are ahead in the rankings, will take Bangladesh’s place.
In such a situation, Youth and Sports Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul is holding talks with the players of the Bangladesh team for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Important issues including whether the Bangladesh team will play in India and Bangladesh’s position in the World Cup are expected to be discussed there. Earlier, on Wednesday (January 21) night, he met the BCB president and a few other sports advisors.
Even after the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request for a change of venue, BCB president Aminul Islam has not given up hope. He thinks that Bangladesh can still play in the World Cup. He believes that the ICC can finally change their decision and move the match from India.
Aminul Islam said, ‘I am expecting a miracle from the ICC. Who does not want to play the World Cup?’ We are not really able to say anything after the ICC press release. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half. Before the vote, we explained the reasons for our decision to the ICC board. We did not want to go to the vote. We were in a different position.’
At the same time, he said that he does not want to pressure the government in this time of uncertainty. Aminul Islam said, ‘I do not want to pressure the government. We know that India is not safe for us. We want to play in Sri Lanka. I know that the ICC has rejected our request. Still, we will talk to the government again. We will inform the ICC of the government’s opinion. When the government takes a decision, it does not only think about the players, it takes everyone into account.’
Earlier, yesterday, the ICC held a virtual meeting with member countries. There, except Bangladesh, only Pakistan voted in favor of not wanting to play on Indian soil. All the rest took a stand against Bangladesh. As a result, even the support of the PCB could not change the ICC’s decision. The ICC gave Bangladesh another 24 hours to inform their final decision.