Impact of World Cup withdrawal extends to media as well, BCB seeks explanation from ICC

Amid security concerns and venue-related complications, Bangladesh’s media has now come into focus beyond the cricket field. Following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup, not only the team but also the country’s journalists appear to have been sidelined on the international stage. The ICC’s decision not to grant accreditation to any Bangladeshi journalist who applied to cover the World Cup has raised fresh questions about transparency and fairness.

After Bangladesh was excluded from the T20 World Cup, the ICC did not provide World Cup accreditation to any Bangladeshi journalist. In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sought an explanation from the global governing body of cricket.

On Tuesday, during the inauguration of the CCDM Challenge Cup at the National Cricket Ground in Purbachal, BCB Media Committee Chairman Amajad Hossain spoke to the media about the World Cup issue. He confirmed that BCB has formally asked the ICC to clarify the matter.

Although Bangladeshi journalists had applied to cover the World Cup, the ICC informed applicants via return emails from Monday afternoon that all applications had been rejected. Even photojournalists whose applications were initially accepted—and who had already received visa letters—were later informed through new emails that their applications had been cancelled.

Explaining BCB’s position on the ICC’s decision, Amajad Hossain confirmed that the board had asked for clarification.
**Confirming that BCB sought an explanation from the ICC, Media Committee Chairman Amajad Hossain said,**
“This decision came yesterday (Monday). After that, we asked to know, we sought an explanation. It is an internal confidential matter, but we have asked for clarification.”

Bangladeshi journalists have long played an active role in covering World Cups throughout the country’s cricketing history. Amajad Hossain recalled that Bangladeshi media personnel were present even in tournaments where the national team did not participate.

**Highlighting the broader context of international sports journalism, Amajad Hossain said,**
“For media professionals, it is not essential that the country must participate. Bangladesh did not take part in the 2013 Champions Trophy, yet our journalists went there to cover it. Similarly, our team has never played in the FIFA World Cup, but journalists regularly go to cover that event.”

The BCB official believes that, as a full member nation, Bangladeshi journalists deserved the opportunity to cover the World Cup. Emphasising Bangladesh’s strong viewer base and the role of the media, he added,
**Referring to Bangladesh’s audience reach and the role of the media, Amajad Hossain said,**
“As a full member, it would have been good if we could cover it. But it is their decision, and we really have nothing to do about it. Still, we believe our media professionals should have been given that opportunity. We are the third-highest viewership market. Even if we are not playing, the World Cup is still happening. In that case, our media could have presented it to our audience.”

The BCB Media Committee Chairman also stressed that Bangladesh’s non-participation in the World Cup and the issue of journalists not receiving accreditation should not be linked.

**Urging that the two issues be viewed separately, Amajad Hossain said,**
“We set conditions regarding security for the World Cup, but it was not that we would not play the entire tournament if we could not play in a specific venue or country. We had alternative requests, which were not fulfilled. After that, we withdrew. These matters should not be linked with anything else.”