BCB's India impasse fuels anxiety among players and staff

A wind of uncertainty is flowing at Bangladesh's home of cricket, better known as Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

Journalists are still coming to the ground with the hope of breaking news regarding the latest saga involving BCB, ICC and BCCI as it turned out to be a national issue after BCB announced that they will not travel to India for security reasons following the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

BCB had a formidable ally in Bangladesh sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, who insisted that they are not ready to play the World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, at the cost of the security of their cricketers, spectators and journalists.

While there is lesser cricket and more politics involved in every steps taken by the respective boards, it is turning out to be a big concern for the biggest stakeholders - national cricketers and part of the team management - as they are not sure what is in store for them.

If someone keeps their ears on the ground within the national cricketing circle, their common questions surround two issues- whether Bangladesh are going to the World Cup and if that is the case, where will they play?

Furthermore, insecurity crept in among the cricketers as it was reported that Indian cricket equipment maker, Sanspareils Greenlands (SG), ended sponsorship deals with several Bangladeshi players, including Litton Das, amid strained Indo-Bangla ties.

"I haven't heard anything of that sort officially," a cricketer sponsored by SG told Cricbuzz.

A BCB official working closely with the development told this website that cricketers are going through a difficult time with the turn of events.

"I think it's a very difficult time for the cricketers considering they are not sure what is in store for them in the coming days," the BCB official said, on request not to be named.

"They are quite tense and it is understandable," he said, who is regularly contacted by the cricketers to know the latest updates about board's stance regarding the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

It was not surprising that BCB officials would not like to comment publicly but that was not the case with former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal as he did not shy away from speaking his mind in public during a program at Dhaka on Thursday.

"The situation is a bit critical at the moment, and making a sudden comment right now is difficult. But one thing you must keep in mind is that many issues can often be resolved through dialogue if everyone comes together," said Tamim.

"You have to consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future of Bangladesh cricket could be and then make decisions accordingly," he said.

Many inside the cricket fraternity feel that BCB is abiding orders of government rather than making their own decision as far as travelling to India is concerned and Tamim insisted that should not be the case.

"We consider the Bangladesh Cricket Board an independent body. Of course, the government plays a very big role, and discussions with the government are necessary. But if we consider the BCB an independent body, then it must also have the authority to make its own decisions," said Tamim.

"If the board feels a certain decision is right, then it should take that decision. Public opinion will always vary. When we play, spectators say many things driven by emotion. But if you start making decisions based on all that, you cannot run such a big organization," he said.

"Today's decisions will have an impact ten years down the line, so decisions should be taken by considering what is best for Bangladesh cricket and for Bangladeshi players - that is what I personally believe," he said.

Tamim, who is well aware what goes through the mind of a cricketer, added that BCB should be very careful before making comments as it is better to remain quiet rather than creating confusion by making blatant statements.

"After taking a final decision and completing internal discussions, that decision should then be communicated publicly. If you announce every step publicly, it creates unnecessary uncertainty, which is what has happened now," he said.

"If a decision changes tomorrow, or a week later, and becomes something else, then how will you explain your initial comment? That's why I feel decisions should be taken internally first," he said adding that board officials should prioritize cricket more than anything else.

"Whatever the final decision is, I only hope that Bangladesh cricket's interests are prioritized above everything else, and that the future of Bangladesh cricket is carefully considered before taking that decision," he concluded.

The uncertain situation prevailing in the Bangladesh's cricketing landscape is also having a toll on the mind of the foreign coaching staff as one of them told this website that he hopes everything is resolved as soon as possible.

"Well I can't speak for the others (members of the coaching staff) but of course I want us to play WC," he said, who is expected to arrive soon to join the national team ahead of the World Cup.

"We are here for cricket and what is bigger than a WC? I hope the matter gets resolved soon," he added.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board official said that they have sent a second letter to ICC and now waiting for a positive response and it looks the wait is becoming quite unbearable for many that include cricketers, journalist and fans among others.