The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to formally approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) and seek an explanation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad despite being selected in the IPL auction.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of BCB officials held on Saturday night, January 3.
The matter was treated with seriousness, with discussions also touching on broader concerns regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in India next month.
Several BCB directors said a formal letter will be sent to the ICC seeking security assurances for Bangladesh players, coaching staff, board officials, players’ families, and accredited journalists during the tournament. The letter is expected to be dispatched on Sunday, January 4.
The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7 in India, with the Bangladesh team scheduled to arrive on January 25. The handling of Mustafizur Rahman’s situation has raised concerns within the BCB regarding player safety and equitable treatment.
In a separate letter, the BCB will also ask the IPL Governing Council to clarify whether a franchise or cricket authority has the right to exclude a player on non-cricketing or political grounds. A copy of the letter will be sent to the BCCI.
The issue has also attracted attention at the government level in Bangladesh. BCB officials are scheduled to meet government representatives to discuss the matter, including the possibility of decisions related to the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh.