The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced its decision not to send the national team to India for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, citing “safety and well-being” concerns due to deteriorating political tensions between the two countries. The decision has left the tournament schedule in disarray, as Bangladesh’s matches were initially set to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, with their opening fixture against the West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens.
Safety Concerns and the Impact on Bangladesh’s Participation
The BCB made the decision after thoroughly assessing the situation and consulting with the Bangladesh Government. The board expressed its inability to send the team to India under the current conditions, highlighting concerns not only for the players but also for the support staff, fans, and journalists who would be traveling to India for the event. In a statement, the BCB emphasized that the team’s safety could not be guaranteed, especially after reports that India was unable to provide adequate security for Bangladesh’s key player, Mustafizur Rahman.
As part of their formal request to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB has asked for all of Bangladesh’s matches to be relocated to a venue outside of India, possibly Sri Lanka. The board’s stance was supported by Bangladesh’s sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, who backed the decision, pointing to the political climate and security concerns.
What’s Next for Bangladesh in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
The fallout from the BCB’s decision may cause complications for the ICC, which must now decide whether to grant Bangladesh’s request to move their matches to another country. The 2026 T20 World Cup is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, but it does not follow the hybrid model used in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which could complicate any potential venue changes.
Additionally, the BCB is seeking clarification from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding their recent decision to release Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad. The BCB has questioned why the Indian board instructed KKR to make Mustafizur available for the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction but later removed him from the squad, potentially fueling the ongoing tensions.
While the ICC has yet to comment on the situation, the decision by the BCB has left the future of Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup uncertain, with many eyes on how the cricket governing body will handle the request.
