Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to take a firm and well-considered stance on whether to send the national team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. His comments come after the board publicly discussed the issue following Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking on 8 January at the City Club during the trophy and jersey unveiling ceremony of the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament, Tamim stressed that any decision must prioritise the long-term interests of Bangladesh cricket. “Whatever decision is taken, Bangladesh cricket’s interest must come first. You should also consider the future of Bangladesh cricket when making your decision,” he said.
Tamim cautioned against sudden or public comments that could create confusion. “Rash decisions should be avoided. More importantly, publicly commenting on matters while different directors give varied statements generates unnecessary uncertainty. I am sure there are capable people at the board and within the government who can internally make a final verdict and then present it to everyone,” he added.
He described Mustafizur’s removal from the IPL squad as “certainly disappointing,” underlining the wider impact of the incident on Bangladesh cricket.
Tamim also addressed the possibility of the BCB reversing its decision not to travel to India. He warned that changing the stance later could put the board in an awkward position. “After taking a final decision and completing discussions with the ICC, a comment should be made. If every step is disclosed publicly, it unnecessarily creates uncertainty. One week later, if the decision changes and Bangladesh ends up playing in India, how will the board respond to what it said earlier? That is not proper. The board should decide internally first and then communicate it,” he said.
He encouraged dialogue and discussion to reach a safe and informed decision. “When we went to India previously, we did not face such situations. Security was never a concern. Many people travel for different purposes, and now the situation is slightly different. Even though I do not have full information, I believe that through discussions, most issues can be resolved. Starting talks and finding solutions internally is the best approach,” Tamim added.
The BCB has already sent a formal letter to the ICC requesting that Bangladesh’s matches in the T20 World Cup be moved from India to alternative venues. Pakistan, for example, will play its matches in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model. If the ICC approves BCB’s request, Bangladesh may also play its matches there.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed that the ICC is reviewing the board’s concerns seriously and hinted that another letter may be submitted to present additional arguments. Tamim’s appeal highlights the need for the BCB to act decisively and with careful planning before announcing any further public statements regarding the team’s participation in India.
