New Delhi, 07 January (H.S.): The International Cricket Council expressed readiness on Wednesday, to work in close cooperation with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to address security apprehensions surrounding the Bangladesh national team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup hosted in India.

This statement from the ICC arrives amid escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh, triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India directing the exclusion of Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, prompting outrage from the BCB.

In response, the BCB formally petitioned the ICC to relocate all four of Bangladesh's T20 World Cup fixtures—scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai—to co-host Sri Lanka, citing pervasive safety risks for their players.

In an official communiqué, the BCB acknowledged receiving the ICC's considered reply to their concerns over team security and the venue transfer request during the India-hosted T20 World Cup.

The ICC reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to guaranteeing the Bangladesh team's full and seamless involvement in the tournament, extending assurances that the BCB's inputs and recommendations will be duly incorporated into a comprehensive security blueprint for the event.

Notably, the men's T20 World Cup commences on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to contest its quartet of matches on Indian soil.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar