The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has denied claims that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has insisted that the national team participate in the T20 World Cup in India, calling recent reports “false.”

The confusion arose after ESPNcricinfo reported that in a virtual meeting with the BCB, the ICC had allegedly told Bangladesh that it must travel to India to play its matches or risk losing points.

BCB President Aminul Islam clarified to local media that the report was incorrect.

“The ICC has never said that Bangladesh must go to India to play the World Cup,” he said.

“We are in discussions with several ICC officials at a personal level, and no such ultimatum has been issued.”

Bangladesh had earlier expressed concerns over player safety in India, citing the controversy surrounding fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.

The BCB officially informed the ICC of these concerns two days ago.

Aminul Islam added that the ICC had requested a detailed account of the BCB’s security-related concerns, including why the board believes players may be at risk in India.

“Once our explanation is submitted, only then will the ICC make a decision,” he said.

He strongly rejected the ESPNcricinfo claim that Bangladesh had been given a choice between playing in India or forfeiting its World Cup points.

“That report is completely false,” Aminul Islam emphasised.