“I don’t know the internal decision, but I want to play in the World Cup.”

Uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup has yet to be resolved. In fact, as time passes, concerns are growing over whether the red-and-green side will be seen in the upcoming global tournament at all. Amid this complexity, Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has clearly stated the players’ position. His straightforward message is that he is not aware of what discussions are taking place internally, but as cricketers, he and his teammates want to play in the World Cup.

The World Cup issue came up during the post-match press conference on Tuesday after Rajshahi Warriors’ defeat to Chattogram Royals in the first qualifier of the BPL. Despite the loss, Shanto’s side, having finished top of the league stage, will get another chance to reach the final. Speaking after the match, Shanto said that even the Cricket Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has not held any discussions with the board regarding the World Cup matter.

When asked about CWAB’s role, Shanto explained that there had been no opportunity for such discussions. The players have remained busy with the BPL and other commitments. He also mentioned that they have gone through a mentally challenging time due to some recent incidents.

Emphasizing the importance of the World Cup, Shanto said that for a cricketer, such tournaments are always special. Whether it is the T20 World Cup held every two years or the ODI World Cup every four years, each event offers a major platform to prove oneself. Missing out on such an opportunity, he added, is never desirable for any player.

However, Shanto also reminded that the final decision does not rest solely with the players. Issues such as security, venues, and board-level discussions with the ICC are involved, and he does not have complete knowledge of all aspects. Still, he believes that a solution can be reached through mutual understanding, allowing Bangladesh to take part in the World Cup.

Due to security concerns in India, Bangladesh has requested the ICC to host their matches in Sri Lanka, and even the possibility of a group change has been discussed. Yet, no final decision has been made. In this situation, Shanto’s stance remains firm: he may not know the internal decisions, but the desire to play on the World Cup stage is unquestionable.

In short, despite the uncertainty, Bangladesh’s message is clear—they want to play in the World Cup.