Bangladesh’s Law and Sports Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has instructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to formally approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup from India to Sri Lanka, citing serious security concerns following Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The directive came after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a decision widely seen as politically motivated amid deteriorating relations between the two countries. Dr Nazrul strongly condemned the move, calling it unacceptable and an affront to the dignity of Bangladesh cricket.
In a social media post, the adviser said the BCCI’s decision to act under pressure from communal and political forces had raised legitimate questions about the safety of Bangladeshi players in India. “When a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being under contract, the entire Bangladesh team cannot feel safe travelling there to play a World Cup,” he wrote.
Dr Nazrul, who oversees the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the interim government period, confirmed that he has directed the BCB to seek a full explanation from the ICC and formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures be hosted in Sri Lanka instead of India. He stressed that the government would not compromise on national dignity or the respect of Bangladeshi cricketers, adding: “We will not accept any humiliation of Bangladesh cricket, its players or the country. The days of submission are over.”
Following the controversy, the BCB held an emergency meeting of its directors on Saturday, after which it was confirmed that the board would write to the ICC outlining its concerns. Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, including their opening fixture against West Indies at Eden Gardens on 7 February.
BCB officials have indicated that their correspondence with the ICC will focus on player security, the safety of team officials, fans and media personnel, and clarification on how such a situation arose despite ICC oversight of the tournament.
Mustafizur had been signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore at the IPL auction last month but was released following backlash from Indian political and religious figures. The episode has cast a shadow over Bangladesh’s participation in the World Cup, even as the BCB recently announced a packed 2026 home schedule that includes white-ball series against India, postponed from 2025.
In a further escalation, Dr Nazrul said he has asked the adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to immediately stop all IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh as a mark of protest.
