Bangladesh pulls out of India leg of T20 World Cup amid safety fears
In a dramatic development threatening the fabric of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has declared that the national team will not travel to India “under the current conditions.” The decision, officially conveyed through a statement, stems from heightened political tensions and growing apprehensions around player safety following the controversial release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“The board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of Bangladesh in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in an official statement.
The security issue, the board emphasized, goes beyond cricket. “Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” it added.
Bangladesh was due to play all four of their Group C matches in India — three in Kolkata against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), and England (February 14), followed by Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.
BCB formally requests ICC to relocate matches
Seeking an immediate resolution, the BCB has already approached the ICC with a formal request to relocate all four of its T20 World Cup matches.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” the board stated.
The justification for this unprecedented move centers on protecting not just players, but everyone connected with the team’s participation. “The board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment,” the BCB noted.
Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Sports in Bangladesh, echoed the board’s stance and provided a political dimension to the dispute. “We welcome this decision taken in the context of the extreme communal policy of India’s cricket board,” he wrote on Facebook.
He further cited Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exclusion as a direct catalyst. “The board said that where a Bangladesh cricketer can’t play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladesh cricket team can’t feel safe to go to the World Cup,” Nazrul wrote.
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL removal sparks backlash
Mustafizur Rahman, acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL auction for ₹9.2 crore (approx. US$1 million), was released just weeks ahead of the tournament. KKR confirmed the decision was taken on instructions from the BCCI.
“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India,” KKR said in a statement.
KKR Media Advisory. 🔽 pic.twitter.com/ZUZB620Uv7
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 3, 2026
Further clarifying the chain of events, the franchise added, “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of the IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League season.”
The BCCI’s rationale was later confirmed publicly. “Due to recent developments going on all across, the BCCI has instructed the franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman, from their squad,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI.
“They can ask for a replacement if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player,” he added.
BCB demands answers from ICC and BCCI
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the BCB is pressing both the ICC and BCCI for explanations on Mustafizur’s release and tournament security.
“We are sending a letter to the ICC putting three clauses into it. Firstly, we would like to know from them about Mustafizur (exclusion from IPL) and secondly, what is the security plan for us in the World Cup? More so because not only will players travel to India, but along with them media, fans and sponsors will also travel there to see the World Cup. Those who will go there, what will be their security status?… We are also sending an email to BCCI to know the exact picture of why Mustafizur was excluded,” the official told Cricbuzz.
Adding to the complexity, a senior BCB official, speaking anonymously to TelecomAsia.net, clarified the jurisdictional split between domestic and international cricket. “I cannot comment on Mustafizur’s release as it is an internal matter of the IPL, but participation in the World Cup is an ICC matter, and the final decision will be taken by the ICC after considering all aspects.”
Political pressure and logistical barriers
Asif Nazrul, continuing his statements on Facebook, confirmed he had instructed the BCB to escalate the issue to the ICC. “As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” he wrote.
“I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead,” he added.
However, India’s cricket board appears unwilling — and perhaps unable — to accommodate the request. A senior BCCI source told PTI that such a shift would be chaotic. “You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked.”
The source emphasized broader structural concerns. “Also on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done.”
BCCI suspends planned tour to Bangladesh
While Bangladesh threatens to sit out the India leg of the World Cup, India may be pulling back from Bangladesh as well. According to multiple reports from the Times of India and Indian Express, the BCCI has put its scheduled white-ball tour to Bangladesh on hold.
Though the fixture was previously announced for August-September 2026, the board is now in a wait-and-see mode. “BCCI’s stance remains the same. The board will need approval from the government before going ahead with any tour to Bangladesh. As of now, BCCI hasn’t confirmed the itinerary. This is independent of the Mustafizur’s ouster,” a BCCI official told Times of India.
The ICC has yet to publicly respond to the BCB’s relocation request, leaving uncertainty hanging over Bangladesh’s group-stage participation. With Pakistan’s matches already shifted to Sri Lanka due to strained India-Pakistan relations, the ICC may face renewed scrutiny if it allows similar exceptions for Bangladesh — or denies them.
