BCB president says the aim is for them to watch match, engage in dialogue, and ease tensions with India
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi (C) during meeting with BCB President Aminul Islam (L) and ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja. Photo: PCB
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has invited all five Asian stakeholders for talks to de-escalate matters on the sidelines of the high stakes Pakistan-India T20 World Cup match on February 15, reported Bangladeshi news outlet Prothom Alo.
The World Cup, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups, began on Saturday. Originally, Bangladesh had been included in the slate but requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka after its star player, Mustafizur Rehman, was released from the Indian Premier League following objections from ruling party activists. The ICC declined the request and replaced Bangladesh with Scotland.
Pakistan took a principled stand in support of Bangladesh and protested the ICC’s decision, a move that further strained relations with the governing body. The federal government also ordered the team not to play the match against India in Colombo. The situation was finally resolved after a round of meetings in Lahore with ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials earlier this week that led to the government approving Pakistan’s participation in the much-anticipated match against India.
In an interview with Prothom Alo, a Bengali-language daily, on Wednesday, BCB President Aminul Islam was questioned about any efforts from his side to ease tensions with India to which he responded: “The ICC has taken a decision in this regard. The five major Asian stakeholders play a central role in world cricket. During the India–Pakistan World Cup match on the 15th, the ICC wants representatives from these five Asian nations to attend together, watch the match and engage in dialogue.”
Questioned if it should be taken as an “attempt to ice-melting step”, the BCB chief replied: “You may interpret it that way.”
Islam had also visited Lahore and met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. He had requested Naqvi to ask the government to allow Pakistan to play the match against India.
Islam discussed the delicate diplomatic manoeuvres undertaken to ensure that Bangladesh’s stance would not adversely affect the ongoing cricketing tensions between India and Pakistan. He told the outlet that the agenda of his trip focused on protecting Bangladesh’s interests while trying to find a way to persuade Pakistan to play against India.
Islam revealed that Pakistan had initially taken a firm stance, refusing to play the match against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
“I felt strongly that if Pakistan refused to play, it would prove disastrous for the ICC. All 107 member countries are involved in the ICC structure, and the revenues are distributed among them,” he said.
“World cricket currently operates largely under the influence of the subcontinent, where viewership is highest and the player base is largest. Considering all these factors, I believed the match should take place.”
Also Read: Pakistan had no ‘personal agenda’
The BCB president hoped the situation would improve over time, noting that Bangladesh was set to host the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup next year. “In the interest of cricket, all parties must maintain constructive relationships,” he added.
Islam further explained to the outlet that Pakistan had faced similar situations before, both in bilateral series and global tournaments such as the World Cup and Champions Trophy. “When our proposal reached them, they reflected on their own experience as an affected party and, as a cricketing nation, concluded that they should support us,” he said.
Islam also highlighted a pivotal moment in the negotiation process: “The most crucial moment was the final call, which took place the night before last at around 11.30pm Pakistan time. That call came to me, meaning to Bangladesh. Everyone wanted to know Bangladesh’s position. The matter stood in such a way that if Bangladesh agreed, Pakistan might consider playing against India.”
Islam added that the significance of Bangladesh’s position was clearly reflected in the ICC’s press release. “You have seen the ICC press release. It clearly reflects the importance attached to Bangladesh’s position,” he concluded.
Read More: PM clears decks for high-voltage ICC T20 showdown
In its announcement that resolved the matter after the marathon talks, the ICC had also confirmed that no penalties or sanctions would be imposed on Bangladesh in relation to its non-participation in the T20 World Cup. In a joint statement with the PCB and BCB, the governing body noted that Bangladesh remained a valued full member with a rich cricketing history and a vital role in global cricket development.
Reflecting on a recent meeting in Lahore, Islam shared his thoughts on the role of cricket in bridging political divides between the two nations.
“I had assumed the meeting would take place online or earlier, but the ICC operates under numerous procedural obligations,” Islam said. “With only an hour and a half’s notice, they informed me that I needed to travel to Lahore. I obtained my visa within five minutes, and the ICC arranged all travel tickets within half an hour. When I arrived at Lahore Airport, the situation appeared even more complex. I felt that Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh involved not only solidarity but also significant elements of cricket diplomacy.”
He said the meeting took place on the rooftop of a large hall near Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and served as a backdrop for meaningful discussions about the future of both Bangladesh and Pakistan cricket.
Islam compared the atmosphere of the event to China’s “ping-pong diplomacy,” calling it “kite diplomacy” in Pakistan’s context, where a vibrant kite festival was used as a medium to further strengthen the relationship.
He went on to acknowledge the positive relationship between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCB, though he also addressed concerns about potential political ramifications, particularly regarding India. “At times, doubts arise within countries about whether another party aligns with their policies,” Islam noted. “However, because of recent developments, Bangladesh has undoubtedly grown closer to Pakistan. This ‘kite diplomacy’ reflects that dynamic.”
Read This: PCB threatens Asia Cup pullout over handshake row
The current tensions in the cricket fraternity has deep roots.
Last September, India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup. This was the first time the neighbours met since a military conflict between them in May. However, tensions simmered after the match as India’s players left the field without shaking hands.
The incident sparked outrage in Pakistan, with the PCB lodging a formal protest and Captain Salman Ali Agha boycotting his post-match media duties. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav fuelled tensions further with political remarks after the win.
Following the Indian team’s actions, the PCB demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. In a letter written to the ICC and Marylebone Cricket Club, the board warned it would reconsider continuing in the tournament if Pycroft was not removed.