Tamim Questions the Decision Not to Travel to India

Uncertainty has arisen over Bangladesh team’s participation in the T20 World Cup following the decision not to travel to India due to security concerns. The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup is set to begin next month, and all of Bangladesh’s group-stage matches are scheduled to be held in India. However, after Bangladesh communicated its decision not to go there, it is now waiting for a response from the ICC.

In such a context, former Bangladesh national cricket team captain Tamim Iqbal said that decisions should be taken keeping in mind Bangladesh’s position in world cricket and its future. He also commented that large organizations cannot be run by thinking purely on public emotion.

He made these remarks today at the jersey unveiling ceremony of the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament, organized by the Jatiyatabadi Krira Dal, at the City Club ground in the capital. At the event, several others were present on stage with him, including the convener of the Jatiyatabadi Krira Dal, Grandmaster Niaz Morshed.

Tamim did not make any direct comment either in favor of or against the decision taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) not to send the team to India due to security concerns. Explaining what decision he would have taken if he were on the cricket board at this moment, Tamim told journalists, “I would have taken the decision thinking about the future. Yes, many things are happening. Commenting at this moment is complicated. But one thing must definitely be kept in mind—that many issues can be resolved through collective discussion. Where you stand in the cricketing world, what Bangladesh’s future could be—taking everything together, that is how I would make a decision.”

The BCB has taken the decision not to send the Bangladesh team to India due to the government’s strict stance on the matter. However, Tamim believes that alongside the government’s opinion, the board should also have its own position. “We consider the BCB to be an independent organization. Of course, the government is a big part of it. There must be discussions with the government. But if we consider the BCB an independent organization, the board must also have some of its own decisions. If they believe this decision is correct, then they should take that decision,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of being realistic rather than thinking like spectators, Tamim said, “Spectators say many things emotionally. But if we think everything that way, you will not be able to run such a big organization. Because you have to think about how today’s decision will impact Bangladesh cricket over the next 10 years and what will be best for the players before making a decision.”

The decision for Bangladesh not to go to India originated from Mustafizur Rahman being dropped from the IPL. Facing threats from extremist groups in India, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release him from the team.

Following this, Bangladesh decided not to travel to India, raising the question of how India would ensure the security of the Bangladesh team and associated personnel in the World Cup if it could not ensure the safety of a single cricketer. The BCB has also demanded that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. Regarding the BCCI’s decision on Mustafizur, Tamim said, “Mustafizur being removed from the IPL is definitely unfortunate, there is no doubt about that.”