Ex-ACC chief slams Asif Nazrul, says BCB ‘walked into trap’ in T20 World Cup withdrawal: ‘Riding on anti-India feeling’
The entire withdrawal controversy arose after the BCCI removed pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026, amid political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Former ACC CEO Ashraful Haque slammed Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul and ex-BCB chief Aminul Islam Bulbul for the country's T20 World Cup 2026 fiasco. Bangladesh withdrew from the T20 World Cup, citing security concerns regarding playing in India after a diplomatic standoff. The BCB asked for their group matches to be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, but the ICC rejected the request. Meanwhile, Scotland were slotted in as their replacements.
Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland after their withdrawal decision. (PTI)
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Speaking to Revsportz, Haque blamed Bulbul for falling into Nazrul's trap and accused the sports advisor of riding on anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. Initially, Nazrul had claimed that the decision to withdraw was a government decision due to security concerns.
But then he made a U-turn from his original claim, stating that the decision was made by the BCB chief and the national team players.
"Absolutely, absolutely, and I was surprised that Aminul Islam Bulbul walked into the trap. It's like Asif Nazrul probably told him forcefully that we will not go to India, and right in the next minute, Bulbul says, "We will not go to India." That was a mistake, I think and had Bulbul stood up on his grounds that "we will go to India, because the players want to go to India and we have signed a legal agreement with the organisers that we have to fulfil"," he said.
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"Then maybe the government would have changed its mind, or it would have gone to a higher authority for the decision. I think Asif Nazrul decided on his own, and I don't think he understands the CEO of cricket either. He was riding on a common anti-India feeling in Bangladesh and said it on the basis of that. Completely uncalled for and a big setback for Bangladesh cricket," he added.
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"Then maybe the government would have changed its mind, or it would have gone to a higher authority for the decision. I think Asif Nazrul decided on his own, and I don't think he understands the CEO of cricket either. He was riding on a common anti-India feeling in Bangladesh and said it on the basis of that. Completely uncalled for and a big setback for Bangladesh cricket," he added.
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Although Bangladesh were initially expected to be fined for pulling out, the ICC later stated there would be no punishment. Also, the country will host an ICC event prior to the 2031 ODI World Cup, which it co-hosts with India.
The entire withdrawal controversy arose after the BCCI removed pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026, amid crumbling political relations between India and Bangladesh.
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Meanwhile, Bangladesh's decision also got support from Pakistan, which initially stated that it would boycott its group stage game against India. But then the Pakistan government made a U-turn from their original decision.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
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Home/Cricket/Ex-ACC chief slams Asif Nazrul, says BCB ‘walked into trap’ in T20 World Cup withdrawal: ‘Riding on anti-India feeling’
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