Packed Dhaka Stadium Cheers as Nazrul Fights for Bangladesh's T20 WC Future

Bangladesh’s Sports Advisor, Asif Nazrul, launched a public and emotional attack on the International Cricket Council (ICC) during a live television broadcast on Friday, as the country faces the possibility of exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026 over an unresolved venue dispute. Nazrul appeared unexpectedly during a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match in Dhaka, using the packed stadium as a backdrop to air his grievances. Speaking during the live broadcast, he criticised the ICC’s refusal to shift Bangladesh’s scheduled T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, a demand that has put the nation on a collision course with the global cricket body.

Highlighting the turnout at the BPL fixture, Nazrul said the presence of thousands of spectators reflected Bangladesh’s deep passion for cricket. He described the crowd as a powerful message to the international community at a time when Bangladesh’s participation in the global tournament is under threat. According to him, the situation was especially painful, as the national team had already earned qualification on merit.

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Nazrul argued that Bangladeshi players have a rightful claim to compete in the T20 World Cup and accused authorities of sidelining them due to administrative and political decisions. He stressed that excluding the team would be unfair to both players and fans, particularly given cricket’s central role in the country’s sporting culture.

However, his remarks have added to internal controversy, as several Bangladesh players have reportedly stated that they were not consulted before the government took a firm stand against travelling to India. The unilateral nature of the decision has sparked debate within the cricketing fraternity, with questions being raised over communication between players, administrators, and the government.

As tensions between Bangladesh and the ICC continue to escalate, Nazrul framed the BPL crowd and the presence of multiple government advisers at the match as a symbolic protest. With the ICC yet to announce a final decision, Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup future remains uncertain, even as public rhetoric from officials grows louder and more confrontational.

Also Read: Bangladesh Players Seem on Board With Government: No Team to India For T20 World Cup 2026