The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to send its national team to play any matches in India during the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, following the exclusion of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The decision was taken at a board meeting held on Sunday afternoon, where all 17 BCB directors were present. According to senior board officials, the move marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s stance amid growing tensions with Indian cricket authorities.
An emergency online meeting was initially held on Saturday night after Mustafizur’s IPL omission. Although there was initially talk of raising three issues with the ICC. But following government-level discussions and broader national sentiment, the board reversed its position within 24 hours.
Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, chairman of cricket operations, confirmed that the board’s position would be formally announced soon. Speaking to reporters, he said an official statement would be issued shortly, indicating that the decision was final and awaiting public confirmation.
In an email sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB cited security concerns as the primary reason for its decision. The board stated that it was “not possible to send the team to India for the T20 World Cup due to safety considerations” and formally requested a change of venue for Bangladesh’s matches.
The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Bangladesh have been placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal and Italy. Under the previously announced schedule, all four of Bangladesh’s group-stage matches were to be played in India.
Bangladesh were scheduled to begin their campaign against West Indies on 7 February at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by matches against England and Italy at the same venue. Their final group match, against Nepal, was set to take place in Mumbai.
The ICC has previously relocated fixtures in similar circumstances. During earlier tensions involving Pakistan, all of Pakistan’s World Cup matches were reassigned to venues in Sri Lanka, the co-host nation.
