NEW DELHI: Contrary to reports suggesting that its request had been rejected, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said on Wednesday that the ICC had "expressed its willingness to work closely" with the board to address concerns surrounding the team's participation in the T20 World Cup in India.

The statement came amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL on the BCCI's directive. In response, an aggrieved BCB submitted a formal request to the ICC, seeking to have its four World Cup matches scheduled in India moved to co-host Sri Lanka.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board has received a response from the ICC regarding the Board's expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC T20 World Cup, including the request for relocation of the team's matches," the BCB said in a statement.

"In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament.

"The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board's inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event," it added.

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The ICC has not issued a public response to the BCB on this subject. The T20 World Cup starts on February 7 and Bangladesh are due to play their four games in Kolkata and Mumbai.

"No Ultimatum from ICC"

The BCB also rejected reports that it had been told to either participate as per the decided schedule or forfeit its games by the ICC.

"The BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard.

"The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC," it asserted.

Rahman was bought for Rs 9.2 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders at last year's players' auction in Abu Dhabi.

After his ouster from the IPL, he was on Tuesday roped in by the Pakistan Super League even though the players' draft of that event has not yet taken place.

(With PTI Inputs)