Following the exclusion of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), there has been turmoil in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has refused to send its national team to India for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government has banned the broadcast of IPL. The BCB has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting that their World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
Aminul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), expressed concerns about the current situation, feeling uneasy about sending the national team to India. In a conversation with journalists, Aminul Islam said, 'Before making this decision, we held two meetings with the board directors. Given the current circumstances, we do not feel secure about sending our team to India.'
He mentioned that the primary concern is security, which prompted the letter to the ICC. Aminul Islam stated, 'We have clearly stated our concerns via email to the ICC. We are now waiting for their response and hope to meet with them soon.'
BCB Awaits ICC's Response
The BCB chairman clarified that this is an ICC event, hence discussions will no longer occur with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Aminul noted, 'We are not in contact with the BCCI, and the next steps will depend on the ICC's reply.' This entire controversy erupted when, under BCCI's directive, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Mustafizur Rahman from their team.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia linked this decision to 'recent developments.' It's noteworthy that tensions between India and Bangladesh have surged in recent months. Relations deteriorated following the departure of Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and her subsequent visit to India. Protests that followed resulted in several student deaths and reports of attacks on minority Hindus.
According to the schedule, Bangladesh is slated to play three of its ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The Bangladeshi team is in Group-C, with their first match against the West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7. Bangladesh is also set to face reigning champions England, Italy, and Nepal.
T20 World Cup 2026 Group Matches (Bangladesh Team)
February 7, vs West Indies, KolkataFebruary 9, vs Italy, KolkataFebruary 14, vs England, KolkataFebruary 17, vs Nepal, Mumbai
