World Cup T-20 2014 may be shifted to India from Bangladesh

Dhaka, Dec 26 (TruthDive): The upcoming ICC World T20 in March 2014 may be shifted to India due to the political turmoil prevailing in Bangladesh.

ICC World Cup T20 is slated to start from March 16, 2014 and the biggest event of the year is planned to be held across three venues in Bangladesh – Sylhet, Mirpur and Chittagong.

The nation is at present facing a wave of political violence with the two major political parties, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League, battling in January 5 elections.

A decision on whether to change the venue or hold Bangladesh as the host for the tournament is expected to be taken soon when the organisers of the tournament and the Asian Cricket Council meet in Dhaka.

Nazmul Hassan, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president will meet the main political leaders of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is also head of the Awami League, as well as Begum Khaleda Zia, the leader of BNP. In the meeting, he will make sure the cricket matches will be held uninterrupted in the country, in an effort to assure the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Sri Lanka Cricket and the ICC over security concerns.

In January, BCB will hold the meetings with the political leaders and get the assurances before the ICC and the ACC hold crucial talks early in the month.

Sri Lanka are the first visitors to Bangladesh in 2014. BCB’s acting CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said the BCB will offer the team with extra security and take tighter measures to ensure safety. He said the arrangements will be provided according to the demands. The security agency will take steps according to the risk assessment.