“Bangladeshi People Love Cricket”: Asif Nazrul Rants Over T20 World Cup Exclusion, Shows Crowd Support in BPL

Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 remains uncertain as tensions with the International Cricket Council continue.

Amid this backdrop, Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul made an unexpected appearance at a Bangladesh Premier League match in Dhaka on Friday and spoke at length during a live television interview, highlighting how close the country is to missing out on the global tournament.

Packed BPL Stadium Used as Symbol of Cricketing Support

While addressing the situation, Nazrul pointed to the packed stands at the BPL match as a reflection of how deeply cricket is loved across Bangladesh. He said that the turnout carried added significance given the ongoing crisis, stating that "Bangladeshi people, they love cricket, and the huge presence of the spectators is a testament to this," before adding that "this was actually much needed because, you know, quite recently Bangladesh has been on the verge of being excluded from the T20 World Cup."

The sports advisor suggested that the atmosphere inside the stadium was not just about entertainment but also about morale, especially when the future of Bangladesh cricket on the world stage is being questioned.

Advisor Says Players Are Being Denied Their Right

Nazrul strongly defended the national team, arguing that the players had fairly earned their place in the tournament. Emphasising their entitlement to compete, he said that "they have the right to play there, but they are being excluded," and noted that the strong fan presence was crucial in such a moment, explaining that "so in such a special time, the huge presence of spectators will definitely encourage Bangladesh cricket and cricketers."

His comments came as Bangladesh continues to push for its T20 World Cup matches to be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, a demand that has placed the country at odds with the ICC.

Mixed Signals Between Government and Players

Nazrul's live television remarks followed claims by Bangladesh players that they were not consulted before the government took the decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup. According to those players, their views were never formally presented during discussions surrounding the dispute with the ICC.

However, Nazrul framed the scene in Dhaka as a broader message to the global cricketing community. Referring to the officials present at the match, he said, "we've got, I think, a huge presence of advisors," adding that "you can hear the sound and how popular cricket is in Bangladesh." He further remarked that "actually, half of the advisers who are present in Dhaka City tonight have turned up today, and it carries a special message."

As Bangladesh awaits clarity on its T20 World Cup future, the sports advisor's public intervention has brought fresh attention to the growing standoff with world cricket's governing body.