NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday formally sent a second communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC) explaining specific security concerns about traveling to India for the T20 World Cup while reiterating its demand for a change of venue to Sri Lanka.

The World Cup gets underway on February 7, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play four games (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai) in India. They have refused to travel to India after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL on instructions of the BCCI, which cited unspecified “developments all around” to justify the decision.

“Following discussions with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, the BCB has once again sent a communication to the ICC. The ICC wanted to know areas of concern with regard to security, and the BCB has cited them,” a source close to the BCB said.

However, he did not elaborate on the specifics of the letter. The development comes amid sustained back-and-forth between the BCB and the ICC over Bangladesh’s participation. The global body has maintained a stoic silence so far and has sought clarity on the exact nature of the security apprehensions flagged by the Dhaka-based board.

It is understood that the BCB itself is divided on the issue. While one section of the board is backing Nazrul’s hardline stance, another group is in favor of keeping channels of discussion open with the ICC and Indian authorities. They are stressing the need for enhanced and foolproof security arrangements for the entire Bangladesh team during its stay in India.

Nazrul, who has been vocal in his criticism of India in the past, is believed to have pushed a more uncompromising line – a marked departure from the BCB’s traditionally cordial working relationship with the BCCI.

The Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain has also supported Nazrul’s hardline stand. He has confirmed that Bangladesh Cricket Team will not visit India for the World Cup. The adviser said he fully supported Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul’s stance on not sending the team to India for safety reasons and demanding that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated to co-host Sri Lanka.

“We will certainly play outside India,” Touhid said. He added that both players and supporters would have to travel to India and said the government must consider their security. Mustafizur’s release followed incidents involving attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

As of now, the ICC has not given any indication that it will shift Bangladesh’s venues from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo. The BCB has, however, asserted that the ICC has shown willingness to work with it in assessing the security concerns.

(Rohit Kumar)