Bangladesh will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed. The decision comes amid controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
In an email sent to the ICC, the BCB stated, “Due to security concerns, it is not possible to send the team to India for the T20 World Cup.” For this reason, the BCB has requested a change of venue.”
On Saturday, KKR released Mustafizur after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the franchise to release the Bangladesh pacer.
In response, Bangladesh’s sports ministry had directed the BCB to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift the matches to Sri Lanka .
The BCB has expressed concerns about the safety of its players, with government advisor Asif Nazrul stating that if a Bangladeshi cricketer can’t play in India despite being contracted, the entire team can’t feel safe travelling to India for the World Cup.
The ICC has not yet responded to the BCB’s request, while the BCCI has dismissed the idea of shifting the matches as “logistically impossible”.
Asif Nazrul, also confirmed the development in a statement shared on social media, reiterating the country’s unwillingness to travel to India.
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play in the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today. We welcome this decision taken in the context of the violent communal policy of the Cricket Board of India.
Although there were initially plans to raise three issues with the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ultimately submitted only one formal demand. On Sunday afternoon, 17 BCB directors met and reached a fresh decision regarding the T20 World Cup, resolving that Bangladesh will not play any of its World Cup matches on Indian soil.
More to follow…
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