Bangladesh sports advisor to meet national cricketers

Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government's sports advisor, will sit with national cricketers on Thursday (January 21), to brief them regarding the prevailing situation with regards to Bangladesh's participation in the World Cup, a Bangladesh Cricket Board source confirmed to Cricbuzz. He is also expected to hear the views of the cricketers.

Earlier, Bangladesh's T20I skipper @L0$ that their consent was not taken during the growing uncertainty over Bangladesh's participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in India.

Players have been asked to attend the meeting which will be held at 3:00 pm at Hotel InterContinental as the government would like to brief them about their position with regards to the national team's participation in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup following ICC's decision to reject BCB's request to shift Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka.

It is understood that Asif is expected to hear views of the cricketers regarding their expectations with regards to participation in the World Cup. He will also discuss the possible steps to resolve the crisis.

@B0$

Shaik Mahedi, Bangladesh T20I all-rounder confirmed on Thursday (January 22) that they have been asked to join the meeting that will be chaired by Bangladesh sports advisor Asif.

Mahedi said the players hardly had the chance to talk among themselves as they were texted individually for the meeting. "No there was no such talks (among ourselves) as every player in the World Cup team was personally texted for the meeting. When we get there the mystery will be revealed."

"As a player who will not want to play the World Cup? But the decision belongs to the board and the government also has a say in the matter. They are our guardians and as players I feel we should do what they say," he said.