Incident Overview
NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has resolved that Bangladesh’s cricket team will not journey to India for the forthcoming T20 World Cup. This resolution was reached during a meeting conducted on Sunday afternoon.
“The Board examined the situation thoroughly, considering developments over the previous 24 hours, and conveyed profound concern regarding the general circumstances surrounding the involvement of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be held in India,” the BCB stated in an official declaration.
“After a comprehensive evaluation of the current situation and the escalating concerns related to the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and factoring in advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors decided that the Bangladesh National Team shall not travel to India for the tournament under present conditions,” the statement continued.
Context and Background
The matter arose in the context of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman‘s exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Prior to the Sunday meeting, BCB directors had convened an online session on Saturday evening to deliberate the issue.
At that initial stage, a majority of the directors favored refraining from taking any firm action. Nonetheless, following intervention from the Bangladesh government, the board reconsidered its position and modified the decision.
Formal Request for Match Relocation
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has additionally requested that its T20 World Cup matches be shifted away from India.
“In view of this decision, the BCB has officially petitioned the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event organizer, to contemplate relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to venues outside India,” the BCB announced.
IPL and Diplomatic Implications
This development followed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) release of Mustafizur Rahman, under guidance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in the context of mounting diplomatic strains between India and Bangladesh.
KKR had secured the 30-year-old left-arm fast bowler for Rs 9.20 crore at last month’s player auction. His base price was Rs 2 crore, with bidding competition involving Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
The BCCI has confirmed that KKR may select a replacement player if necessary for the tournament, slated to commence on March 26.
T20 World Cup Hosting and Bangladesh’s Schedule
India and Sri Lanka are set to co-host the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. According to the schedule announced thus far, Bangladesh is scheduled to face West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, marking the tournament’s opening day.
Furthermore, Bangladesh’s remaining three group-stage fixtures are planned for venues in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Bangladesh Squad Announcement
Earlier on Sunday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board declared a 15-member squad for the World Cup, appointing Liton Das as the captain.