Source The Hindu
DHAKA / NEW DELHI – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officially announced on Sunday that the national team will not travel to India for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The decision, which comes just five weeks before the tournament’s scheduled start on February 7, followed an emergency board meeting in Dhaka. The BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside of India, specifically suggesting Sri Lanka as a preferred alternative.
The Catalyst: Mustafizur Rahman and IPL Friction
The diplomatic and sporting standoff appears to have been triggered by the recent removal of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following instructions from the BCCI, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Rahman from their squad, a move that the Bangladesh government and BCB have interpreted as a sign of deteriorating safety for their athletes.
“If a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire team cannot feel safe going to the World Cup,” stated Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh’s advisor for Youth and Sports.
Key Points of the BCB Statement
In an official release, the BCB cited a “thorough assessment of the prevailing situation” and advice from the Bangladesh government as the primary reasons for the boycott.
Security Concerns: The board expressed deep concern over the “overall circumstances” and the “safety and well-being” of the contingent.
Request for Relocation: The BCB is urging the ICC to move its fixtures (originally slated for Kolkata and Mumbai) to Sri Lanka, which is already co-hosting the event.
Government Intervention: The decision shifted significantly after the Bangladesh government intervened, following initial internal debate within the BCB.
Current T20 World Cup Group C Schedule (Pending ICC Decision)
Matchup Original Date Original Venue
Bangladesh vs. West Indies Feb 7, 2026 Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Bangladesh vs. Italy Feb 9, 2026 Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Bangladesh vs. England Feb 12, 2026 Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Bangladesh vs. Nepal Feb 15, 2026 Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
ICC and BCCI Response
The BCCI has maintained that security for all participating nations is guaranteed, with some officials suggesting that a venue change this late in the schedule would be logistically difficult.
However, reports indicate that the ICC is weighing the request seriously to avoid a total withdrawal or forfeiture of matches. A final verdict from the ICC is expected within the next 48 hours. If granted, this would mark the first time a team’s specific matches have been moved out of a host country due to security concerns since the hybrid model used for the 2023 Asia Cup and the relocation of India-Pakistan clashes.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8.
