‘Bangladesh pullout from World Cup a major setback’ - Former ACC CEO slams Asif Nazrul over decision

Published - 12 Apr 2026, 14:47 IST | Updated - 12 Apr 2026, 15:54 IST

Talks are underway between India and Bangladesh to revive cricketing ties after months of strain following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup controversy. Bangladesh had earlier opted not to travel to India for the tournament after their request to shift matches to Sri Lanka was rejected by the International Cricket Council.

According to reports, Asif Nazrul, who was serving as Sports Advisor in the interim government, allegedly pressured Aminul Islam Bulbul and prevented the national team from traveling to India.

Former Asian Cricket Council CEO Ashraful Haque strongly criticised both Nazrul and Aminul. He accused Nazrul of exploiting anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh for political purposes and blamed Aminul for yielding to that pressure. Haque described Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament as a major setback and disappointment for the country’s cricketing future.

"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"," Ashraful said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

"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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Nazrul had initially stated that the decision not to send the team to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup was taken by the government, citing safety concerns. However, he later changed his stance, claiming that the withdrawal decision was made by the players and coaching staff of the national team.