The day, Thursday (22 January), proved to be extremely disappointing for Bangladesh cricket. It became clear to Bangladeshi cricketers that their dream of playing in the T20 World Cup 2026 was all but shattered. As players like Liton Das exited the team hotel, their faces lacked smiles; instead, they displayed signs of compulsion and helplessness, leaving their spirits crushed.
A report by 'Cricbuzz' claimed that T20 captain Liton Das and Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto discussed in a meeting and emphasized their readiness to play in the tournament, but their voices were suppressed. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a statement suggesting players supported the decision against participating in the World Cup.
Read more: Clash with ICC, the 'Bulbul' saga, and silent players... the meeting that distanced Bangladesh from T20 WC
The Thursday meeting in Bangladesh focused on players and sports adviser Asif Nazrul. It was anticipated that players, the main stakeholders, would make the government realize the T20 World Cup's significance, but instead, they were simply informed of a pre-determined decision.
Sources revealed that most players favored participating in the World Cup, yet their opinions mattered not. A senior player shared with
Read more: 'We won't bow down, ICC did injustice', says Bangladesh showing defiance over T20 World Cup within 24 hours, complete timeline here
, anonymously, that the meeting was not for consensus—it was definite that the government had already decided against traveling to India.
Cricketers mentioned that they were traditionally heard, but this time, the decision was imposed from above. Liton Das and Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto clearly expressed in the meeting the team was ready to compete; however, the government and BCB refused, citing security concerns and alleged past threats.
Later, Asif Nazrul accused ICC of not providing 'proper justice', arguing that neither ICC nor the Indian government took Bangladesh's concerns seriously. The disappointment among players was so profound that one remarked that if they do not attend, it would be their loss, and cricket might diminish.
Read more: Bangladesh won't play T20 World Cup in India... After the boycott, Scotland takes the stage? Equation changes, here’s the math
BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul tried to support and reassure the players mentally, but his assurances fell short. A team management member remarked that players had worked hard for this tournament, and their recent performances had proven them a strong T20 unit.
Currently, hopes for Bangladesh cricket hinge on the national elections scheduled for February 12. There's optimism within the cricket world that with a new government, India-Bangladesh relations may improve, heralding a fresh era for cricket.
Following the July commotion, the newly instated government, alongside Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), pushed players further to the fringes. Despite their anticipation of a miracle until the end, the reality says otherwise. Due to the refusal to play in India, ICC might soon replace Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament lineup.
Did Asif Nazrul lie to the media?
When Asif Nazrul was queried about the players' inclusion in the boycott decision, he stated, 'We met with players to explain the government’s perspective and reasoning. It was a private conversation, so what the players said won’t be revealed.' He implied they understood the circumstances. Clearly, Asif Nazrul misrepresented the interaction to the media with falsehoods.
