Bangladeshis banned from flying rivals' flags

By
AFP
|
Bangladeshis banned from flying rivals' flags
DHAKA: The Bangladeshi hosts of cricket's World Twenty20 threatened to ban local supporters Tuesday from stadiums if they are seen carrying the flags of any of the other teams competing in the tournament.

The order came after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recently concluded Asia Cup, also held in Bangladesh.

A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman said the board had issued a directive after it "noticed that some local fans were flying foreign flags flouting the country's flag rules".

"We've received instruction in this regard," the spokesman told AFP, without clarifying.

"As such we've ordered security officials and guards to make sure Bangladesh fans cannot carry or fly flags of foreign nations in the stadiums."

Meanwhile, International Cricket Council (ICC) sought clarification from BCB, saying that they are “not aware of the law which has been quoted by BCB."

The statement of BCB is against the agreement for holding World T20 event, it said.

ICC further stated that it would not take any step that conflicts with the laws of Bangladesh.