The Arvarth Express
New Delhi [India]:
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday criticised the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) demand to shift its T20 World Cup matches out of India, alleging that Bangladesh is being “used” by Pakistan to create divisions. She noted that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already rejected the request and that Pakistan was the only member to support Bangladesh’s stance.
“The ICC has rejected Bangladesh’s demand to play the matches outside India. Among all the committee members, only Pakistan supported them; no one else did. It is clearly visible that Pakistan is using Bangladesh,” Chaturvedi said.
Raising concerns over the situation of minority Hindus in Bangladesh, she added that the focus should be on addressing humanitarian issues rather than cricket. “There is continuous oppression of minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Instead of responding to that, they are talking about cricket. Bangladesh will have to follow whatever the ICC has decided,” she said.
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary also criticised Bangladesh’s reluctance to play their scheduled matches in India, alleging political interference in the functioning of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Questioning the security concerns cited by Bangladeshi authorities, Tiwary pointed out that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently residing safely in India. “If a Prime Minister can live safely here with full security, then the players will definitely be safe,” he said while speaking to ANI.
Tiwary further stated that political involvement in Bangladesh cricket has influenced such decisions. “In most countries, cricket boards function autonomously. But in their case, politics has entered the board, and that is why such decisions are emerging,” he added.
As per the existing T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, Bangladesh will begin their campaign on February 7 against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. They will face Italy at the same venue on February 9, followed by a match against England in Kolkata. The Litton Das-led side is then scheduled to travel to Mumbai to play Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium.
