Dhaka: Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has clarified that the decision for Bangladesh not to participate in the World Cup matches in India was made solely by the government due to security concerns. This clarification comes in response to the confusion stemming from Nazrul’s previous remarks that seemed to suggest the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players were involved in the decision-making process.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Nazrul addressed the criticism through a Facebook post on Wednesday, emphasizing that he has consistently stated since January that the boycott was a government decision. He reiterated his firm stance on this matter and explained that the confusion arose when he responded to a journalist’s inquiry about any “regrets” concerning the decision.
Nazrul further elaborated on his sentiments at an event where the BCB handed over Tk 2 crore to Dhaka University. He expressed his emotional response to the board’s generosity during a sensitive period. He clarified that the focus should not be on potential regrets but rather on the sacrifice made by the cricket board and the players.
Drawing a distinction between making and accepting the decision, Nazrul argued that while the government made the call, the players and the board deserve recognition for accepting it without protest. This acceptance came despite the financial losses and potential sanctions they faced. Nazrul admitted to his failure in clearly explaining the situation during an impromptu discussion, but he affirmed that the government’s stance would have been difficult to maintain without the players’ willing compliance.