As anticipation builds for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month, an unexpected development has emerged from the Bangladesh camp. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally indicated that it is unwilling to send its national team to India to play their scheduled World Cup matches, citing serious concerns over player safety and the prevailing environment.
The decision was taken on Sunday afternoon following an extensive meeting attended by all 17 members of the BCB Board of Directors. After deliberations lasting several hours, the board reached a consensus that, under the current circumstances, it would not be feasible to ensure adequate security for the Bangladesh squad in India.
This stance follows a series of discussions held over the past 48 hours. On Saturday night (3 December), BCB officials convened an emergency online meeting in response to the controversial exclusion of Bangladesh’s leading left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, from the Indian Premier League by his franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. Initially, a majority of board members advised against adopting a confrontational position. However, following consultations at the government level, the board ultimately revised its approach.
Speaking to the media, Nazmul Abedeen, Head of Cricket Operations at the BCB, confirmed that an official statement would soon be released.
“We will clarify our position through a formal press release shortly,” he said, adding that the board’s decision had been taken after careful assessment of all relevant factors.
According to BCB sources, the board’s apprehensions stem from multiple issues. Rising political tensions in the region, the spread of hostile and inflammatory rhetoric on social media platforms, and the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman have collectively heightened concerns. In particular, the decision reportedly influenced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove Mustafizur from an IPL squad has intensified fears regarding player treatment and overall security.
In light of these developments, the BCB has sent an official email to the International Cricket Council (ICC), clearly stating that Bangladesh cannot participate in World Cup matches hosted in India due to security risks. As an alternative, the board has requested that Bangladesh’s fixtures be relocated to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host nation.
Bangladesh’s Scheduled Group Matches (As Per Original Fixture)
| Match | Opponent | Venue (Planned) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Indies | Kolkata | 7 February |
| 2 | Group Match | Kolkata | TBC |
| 3 | Group Match | Mumbai | TBC |
| 4 | Group Match | Mumbai | TBC |
It is worth noting that the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is jointly organised by India and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh originally scheduled to play all four of their group matches in Indian cities. Despite the uncertainty surrounding venues, the BCB has continued its preparations and announced a 15-member squad on Sunday morning (4 December), appointing Litton Das as captain for the global tournament.
As matters stand, the ICC now faces a delicate logistical and diplomatic challenge. Whether Bangladesh’s request will be accommodated remains to be seen, but the issue has already added an unexpected layer of intrigue to the build-up of the World Cup.