The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially decided against sending the national team to India for the T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026. Citing serious security concerns and government advice, the board has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate its matches to co-host Sri Lanka.

This decision follows the controversial ouster of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Rahman, who was signed for Rs 9.20 crore in the December auctions, was released on the direct instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCB convened an emergency meeting on January 3 following the news of Rahman’s release. A statement from the board expressed “deep concern” over the safety of the Bangladesh contingent.

“The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB statement confirmed.

Bangladesh is scheduled to play four league games—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Like the hybrid model previously used for Pakistan, the BCB is now pushing for a similar arrangement to play these fixtures in Sri Lanka.

The diplomatic ties between the two nations have been strained since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. While the BCCI did not explicitly link Rahman’s release to politics, it cited “developments all around” as the primary trigger.

Bangladesh government advisor Asif Nazrul took to Facebook to support the board’s decision, stating that the team would not travel under “extremist communal policies” and suggested a total suspension of IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh. “The days of servitude are over,” Nazrul remarked, emphasizing that no insult to Bangladeshi cricket would be tolerated.

The ICC is yet to issue a formal response to the BCB’s request for an urgent relocation of the matches.

Key Highlights:

• BCB Withdrawal: Bangladesh will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup starting February 7 due to safety concerns.
• Mustafizur Rahman Row: The decision was triggered by BCCI forcing KKR to release the pacer despite his Rs 9.20 crore contract.
• Venue Shift Request: The BCB has formally asked the ICC to move its league matches from Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka.
• Diplomatic Strain: The move reflects deteriorating relations following the 2024 political shift in Bangladesh and recent communal tensions.