How did the controversy start and what was the outcome?
The controversy started when Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to play the T20 World Cup in India citing security reasons. Soon after, Pakistan also threatened not to play its match against India in support of Bangladesh. After weeks of tension, the issue ended with a tripartite meeting in Lahore with the ICC and India suffering huge losses, while the two opposing boards stood to gain.
How did BCCI and ICC get a big blow? Understand 5 big reasons
1. Bangladesh’s election card and anti-India agenda
The Bangladesh government made anti-India protest a major election issue in view of the upcoming elections in its country. An attempt was made to take political advantage by spreading hatred towards India among the people there. Boycotting the T20 World Cup was part of this agenda. Bangladesh was successful in this, because they gave a message to their people that they would not bow down to India, even if they had to sacrifice a big stage like the World Cup.
2. Rebel board remains ‘safe’ without any penalty
Usually, boycotting any ICC tournament results in heavy fines and sanctions being imposed on the concerned board. But the surprising thing in this matter was that after the meeting of ICC, PCB and BCB, it was decided that no action would be taken against Bangladesh. Despite causing crores of rupees loss to the broadcasters of the tournament, Bangladesh Cricket Board remained completely safe, which is a big question mark on the credibility of ICC.
3. Got future ICC tournament in exchange for boycott
This is being considered as the most unique decision in cricket history. Instead of getting punished for leaving the tournament, Bangladesh got a reward from the ICC. The ICC has promised that Bangladesh will be given the opportunity to host a major ICC tournament between 2028 and 2031. In this way, Bangladesh compensated this year’s loss in the form of a big investment for the future. Amidst all this, India and ICC could not do anything.
4. Message to challenge BCCI’s monopoly
Pakistan and Bangladesh together have tried to send a message to the whole world that BCCI, despite its economic strength, cannot decide everything alone. He proved that if cricket boards come together and put pressure, the ICC has to bow down, even if their demands are illogical. PCB succeeded in its objective to harm India’s dominance on the international stage. He has given the message that ICC can be made to bend even by making a mistake.
5. Forgetting history, Bangladesh is sitting in the lap of Pakistan
The saddest aspect was that Pakistan was successful in convincing the people of Bangladesh that India was not their well-wisher. This is the same Bangladesh which was liberated by India from the atrocities of Pakistan in 1971. Today, in the name of sports and politics, Bangladesh has forgotten that history and the sacrifice of India and has joined hands with Pakistan, which is a matter of great concern for India strategically.
