The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has hit back strongly in the ongoing debate over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. BCB finance committee chairman Najmul Hossain has claimed that even if Bangladesh withdraw from the tournament, the board will not suffer financially, and the real impact would be felt by the players.
Najmul stated that the BCB’s ICC revenue until 2027 has already been fixed in the 2022 ICC financial meeting, and therefore, pulling out of this edition of the World Cup would not affect the board’s earnings. However, he admitted that future World Cups, bilateral series, or FTP-related matters could be affected in the longer term.
“There will be no loss for the Bangladesh Cricket Board if we don’t take part in the World Cup, as the loss will be for the players,” Najmul said. He explained that players would immediately lose match fees, man-of-the-match awards, and other performance-related payments tied directly to participation.
Najmul’s remarks come shortly after he stirred controversy by labeling former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal as an “Indian agent,” a comment that has intensified the debate around the World Cup and the board’s stance.
According to Najmul, the board neither gains nor loses financially from Bangladesh’s participation in this particular World Cup, while players’ match-day earnings are directly dependent on playing.
He acknowledged there could be indirect repercussions for Bangladesh cricket in the future, such as in bilateral relations and FTP commitments, but emphasized that these would be separate from the immediate financial impact of skipping this tournament.
For now, his message is clear: the BCB believes its revenue stream remains secure, while the players would bear the first financial consequences if Bangladesh pulls out of the T20 World Cup.
