Source NDTV sport
NEW DELHI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a blistering rebuttal to claims made by a top Bangladeshi government official regarding alleged security threats in India, calling the assertions a “complete lie” and “falsehood.”
The war of words erupted on Monday, January 12, 2026, just weeks before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7. The tournament is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The Spark: Controversial Claims from Dhaka
The controversy was ignited by Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government’s sports advisor. In a press conference held in Dhaka, Nazrul claimed that the ICC’s security team had sent a formal letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) validating three specific “increased threats” to their national team if they played in India:
The Selection of Mustafizur Rahman: Claiming his inclusion in the squad would heighten security risks.
National Identity: Stating that fans wearing the Bangladesh national jersey would face safety issues.
Political Timing: Alleging that the upcoming Bangladesh elections would worsen the security climate for the team in India.
Nazrul used these points to argue that it is “impossible” for Bangladesh to play its matches in India, reinforcing the BCB’s recent demand to relocate their fixtures to Sri Lanka.
The ICC’s Response: “Total Propaganda”
The world cricket body did not mince words in its response. Speaking to various news agencies, ICC sources categorically denied the existence of any such advisory.
“What Asif Nazrul said is a complete lie. The ICC’s communication never mentions that Mustafizur’s selection will be an issue. There is no such advisory in formal communication,” an ICC source told PTI.
The ICC clarified that while there has been routine “internal communication” regarding security planning—as is standard for all global events—the interpretation provided by the Bangladeshi official was a gross misrepresentation.
Key points from the ICC’s stance include:
Low to Moderate Risk: Independent security assessments by global experts have categorized the threat level in India as “low to moderate,” which is standard for major international sporting events.
No Specific Threats: No credible or direct threats have been identified against the Bangladesh team, officials, or the venues in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Policy on Selection: The ICC emphasized it would “never suggest” that a team alter its player selection or restrict fans from wearing national colors for security reasons.
Standoff Over Venues
The timing of this dispute is critical. Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. The BCB has been lobbying for these games to be moved to Colombo, citing safety concerns following the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL franchise due to unspecified “developments.”
Despite the pressure from Dhaka, the ICC remains firm. Sources indicate that the match schedule is finalized and the governing body expects all participating members to fulfill their “Terms of Participation.”
As of now, the T20 World Cup is set to proceed as planned, with the ICC signaling that the “propaganda” will not result in a last-minute change of venues.
