The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup. The dispute between India and Bangladesh escalated when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly asked the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL franchise to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their team. The BCB has now issued a statement on the matter. They have requested the ICC to hold the World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
BCB has requested the ICC to hold the matches in Sri Lanka
The BCB stated, The Board has reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account the developments of the past 24 hours, and has expressed deep concern regarding the overall circumstances surrounding the Bangladesh National Team's participation in the matches to be held in India. After carefully assessing the current situation and considering the growing concerns about the safety of the Bangladeshi contingent in India and the advice of the Bangladesh government, the Board of Directors has decided that, under the prevailing circumstances, the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament.
In light of this decision, the BCB, as the event authority, has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider shifting all of Bangladesh's matches to another venue outside of India (co-host Sri Lanka).
Bangladesh schedule in the World Cup 2026
- Bangladesh vs West Indies: February 7, Kolkata
- Bangladesh vs Italy: February 9, Kolkata
- Bangladesh vs England: February 14, Kolkata
- Bangladesh vs Nepal: February 17, Mumbai
The Sports Ministry had given instructions to the BCB
The interim government's sports minister in Bangladesh had instructed the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) to request the ICC (International Cricket Council) to shift Bangladesh's matches from Sri Lanka to another venue. The Bangladeshi sports ministry believes that concerns about player safety have increased following Mustafizur Rahman's withdrawal. BCB president and former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul had called an emergency board meeting after Mustafizur's withdrawal from the IPL.
Mustafizur Rahman controversy
This controversy began with the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had bought Mustafizur for ₹9.20 crore in the mini-auction last month. However, following instructions from the BCCI, KKR removed the Bangladeshi bowler from their team. Mustafizur's inclusion in the team had faced considerable opposition in India, and several politicians and commentators had criticized KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan over the matter. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is very unhappy with Mustafizur's exclusion and has therefore refused to send its team to India. However, the final decision will rest with the International Cricket Council (ICC), whose chairman is Jay Shah.
Bangladesh's 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Liton Das | Captain/Wicketkeeper |
| Tanjid Hasan | Batsman |
| Parvez Hussain Emon | Batsman |
| Saif Hasan | All-rounder |
| Tauhid Hdoy | Batsman |
| Shamim Hussain | Batsman |
| Kazi Nurul Hasan Sohan | Wicketkeeper |
| Saik Mehdi Hasan | All-rounder |
| Rishadh Hussain | Spinner |
| Nasum Ahmed | Spinner |
| Mustafizur Rahman | Fast bowler |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib | Fast bowler |
| Taskin Ahmed | Fast bowler |
| Shaifuddin | All-rounder |
| Shoriful Islam | Fast bowler |
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