BCB's request: Logistical complexities and the BCCI and Governments' role

The International Cricket Council (ICC) might be open to considering the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) request to shift their Twenty20 World Cup games out of India, as requested by the BCB, but the decision will not be straightforward.

The world body has not yet taken a call or formally met - more so with today being a Sunday - but Cricbuzz understands that multiple factors are involved in the decision-making process, including massive logistical complexities. The final call may be delayed, with the ICC expected to take a decision after factoring in all objective and holistic considerations.

BCCI has a major say

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as the co-host, may have a major say in the matter. With just over 30 days left for the start of the World Cup, it may also be too late in the day to tweak the schedule, which involves multiple teams, not just Bangladesh. This will likely be explained to a recalcitrant BCB.

The shifting may naturally necessitate major adjustments to the schedule, as Bangladesh are clubbed in Group C with two former champions - England and West Indies - along with Nepal and Italy. As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are lined up to play their league games in India - three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The adjustments may not be confined to the league stage alone; there is a chance they could reach the Super 8 stage, as in the last edition, and possibly progress further, making a reworking of the entire schedule no less daunting. Lastly, the fans' plans would also be affected.

Cricbuzz understands that over the next two days, there will be internal meetings among ICC officials, who contend that this is primarily an issue between the BCCI and BCB, and dragging the ICC into the bilateral standoff may not be appropriate, particularly so late in the day. However, the ICC will not take a hasty decision and will explain the constraints to the BCB.

Role of the Governments

How the governments are positioned in the matter could be of interest. The BCCI is known to seek advice from the Government of India on major issues, and how the Indian government will view the Bangladesh request can only be a matter of conjecture at this stage. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was recently in Bangladesh, but if that is a pointer to anything, it is surely premature to draw a conclusive inference.

Off-shot of Mustafizur expulsion

Clearly, the current situation is a reaction by the BCB to the BCCI directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in view of 'recent developments' in the country. The BCCI did not elaborate on what the recent developments were, but understandably, they relate to reported killings of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.

For the record, Bangladesh's game against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 are all scheduled to be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata while Mumbai's Wankhede stadium will host their fixture versus Nepal on February 17. The World Cup runs from February 7 to March 8 across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka.