Bangladesh Denies Visa to Indian ICC Official Amid Tensions after refusing entry to Sanjog Gupta, a senior ICC executive. The decision comes amid rising political tensions between Bangladesh and India, as well as concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi players in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited security and diplomatic issues, signaling a firm stance ahead of upcoming tournaments.
The ICC delegation visit, led by Andrew Ephgrave and including Sanjog Gupta, was intended to discuss tournament venues in India and ensure player safety. However, Bangladesh granted a visa only to Ephgrave. The Indian official was denied entry, sparking reactions from cricket authorities and media in both countries. Analysts note that this move may affect Bangladesh-India cricket relations and complicate cricket diplomacy in Asia.
The refusal also relates to recent controversies, such as Mustafizur Rahman’s release from Kolkata Knight Riders and the IPL broadcast ban in Bangladesh. The BCB argues that these events highlight ongoing risks for Bangladeshi players traveling to India. As a result, the board requested the ICC to consider group-stage matches for Sri Lanka. So far, the ICC has suggested alternative venues within India, including Chennai, but Bangladesh remains unconvinced.
Experts warn that continued tensions could affect the Cricket World Cup Asia schedule and may lead Bangladesh to consider a boycott. The situation underscores the importance of sports security measures and careful, sensitive negotiations between ICC and BCB. With diplomatic strains ongoing, both cricket boards face pressure to maintain fairness and player safety while protecting international cricket’s reputation.
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Bangladesh denies visa to Indian ICC official amid tensions, raising concerns for player safety and Bangladesh Cricket Board decisions.
