Bangladesh will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed. The decision comes amid controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
The BCB cited security concerns as the reason for the team’s decision not to travel to India for the multinational tournament. In an email sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB stated, “Due to security concerns, it is not possible to send the team to India for the T20 World Cup.”
Although there were initially plans to raise three issues with the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ultimately submitted only one formal demand. On Sunday afternoon, 17 BCB directors met and reached a fresh decision regarding the T20 World Cup, resolving that Bangladesh will not play any of its World Cup matches on Indian soil.
BCB Seeks Relocation of T20 World Cup Matches
The BCB formally requested the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s matches out of India, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of its cricketers.
“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,” read the BCB statement.
“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 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 statement added.
Mustafizur’s Release Sparks Outrage
On Saturday, KKR released Mustafizur after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the franchise to release the Bangladesh pacer. The speedster was signed by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025, a move that initially drew attention for its cricketing value but later became embroiled in off-field controversy.
The situation intensified amid opposition from certain political and religious groups, especially in the wake of violent incidents in Bangladesh and growing concerns from Indian authorities regarding the safety of minorities. After Mustafizur was removed from the KKR squad, Bangladesh’s sports ministry had directed the BCB to formally request the ICC to shift the matches to Sri Lanka.
The BCB has expressed concerns about the safety of its players, with government advisor Asif Nazrul stating that if a Bangladeshi cricketer can’t play in India despite being contracted, the entire team can’t feel safe traveling to India for the World Cup.
The ICC has not yet responded to the BCB’s request, while the BCCI has dismissed the idea of shifting the matches as “logistically impossible”.
Asif Nazrul, also confirmed the development in a statement shared on social media, reiterating the country’s unwillingness to travel to India.
Nazrul wrote, “Bangladesh will not go to India to play in the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today. We welcome this decision taken in the context of the violent communal policy of the Cricket Board of India.”
Bangladesh named their T20 World Cup squad on Sunday, appointing Litton Das as captain and Saif Hassan as vice-captain. Mustafizur Rahman is one of five pacers in the squad, alongside Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and have been placed in Group C alongside Italy, Nepal, England and the West Indies. (INDIA TODAY)
