New Delhi, 05 January (H.S.): Indian cricket legend and President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), Kapil Dev, stated on Monday that no final decision has been reached regarding the participation of Bangladeshi players in the upcoming PGTI tournaments. This comes amid heightened tensions following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision to withdraw its national team from the T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns and government advice.

The BCB’s move followed the controversial release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad, reportedly on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In response, the BCB formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches outside India, citing the safety and well-being of its players and officials as the primary concern.

When questioned about the potential exclusion of Bangladeshi golfers from PGTI events, Kapil Dev remarked, “We’ll sit down and talk about the recent issue. We haven’t taken any decision on it yet.” He refrained from commenting on the BCB’s latest correspondence with the ICC, underscoring that discussions are ongoing within the PGTI leadership.

Prominent Bangladeshi golfers, including Jamal Hossain, Md Siddikur Rahman, and Md Akbar Hossain, have been regular participants on the PGTI circuit, and their continued involvement remains uncertain pending further deliberations.

Kapil Dev also highlighted the significance of team dynamics in golf, noting that while individual brilliance is vital, collective formats bring a unique energy to the sport. He emphasized the PGTI’s commitment to promoting golfers and providing them with a stronger platform to showcase their talent.

The PGTI’s next steps on international participation, especially concerning Bangladeshi players, will be closely monitored by the golfing fraternity as the situation continues to develop.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar