The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a clarification regarding the denial of accreditation and travel permits to several Bangladeshi journalists who had applied to cover the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In line with the ICC, the choice was not arbitrary but was linked to visa-related issues that remained unresolved throughout the required timelines.
An ICC spokesperson stated that the journalists “haven’t been given visas,” which routinely prevented the governing body from issuing final media permits. The ICC stressed that accreditation is contingent upon successful visa clearance, and without confirmation from host nation authorities, applications can’t be approved.
Visa Process and Host Nation Coordination
The ICC explained that while media accreditation requests were submitted, the method requires close coordination with the host country’s government, immigration authorities, and native organizing committees. On this case, delays in visa approvals meant the journalists couldn’t fulfill mandatory travel and documentation requirements.
The ICC reiterated that it follows a “standardized and transparent accreditation process” for all member nations and media outlets, adding that no country or board is treated in a different way. The governing body emphasized that the responsibility for visa issuance lies with the host nation and never the ICC, making it clear that the denial of permits was a procedural final result slightly than a targeted restriction.
Context of Broader Bangladesh-ICC Tensions
The difficulty of journalist access has emerged against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC over participation and logistical concerns related to the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh had earlier raised questions on security arrangements and venue allocations, resulting in intense discussions during ICC meetings. Reports suggested that emotions ran high during these deliberations, and while the ICC maintained that sporting decisions must remain separate from political or diplomatic considerations, the timing of the permit denial has drawn scrutiny.
Nonetheless, the ICC maintained that “media accreditation and team participation are separate matters,” and insisted that administrative delays mustn’t be misinterpreted as punitive motion. The council added that it stays open to facilitating media access should visa clearances be granted at a later stage, reinforcing its commitment to press freedom and fair coverage across all member nations.
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