Bangladesh Cricket Board Requests ICC to Move T20 World Cup Matches from India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the ICC to relocate its matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 from India due to safety concerns for its players. Following a recent directive from the BCCI, KKR released Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman, igniting political controversy. The BCB's emergency meeting concluded that under current conditions, the national team will not travel to India. They are awaiting an urgent response from the ICC regarding the relocation of matches to ensure player safety. This situation highlights the growing tensions surrounding the tournament and the implications for international cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 4, 2026, 18:04 IST

BCB Seeks Relocation of Matches for Safety Reasons

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift Bangladesh's matches in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 to locations outside of India. This request stems from concerns regarding the safety and security of Bangladeshi players, as stated in a BCB press release.

The BCB has declared that the national team will not travel to India for the T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, due to escalating worries about the safety of the Bangladesh contingent. This decision follows the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) announcement that they have removed Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 lineup, following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) related to the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.

Emergency Meeting of BCB Board

An urgent meeting of the BCB's Board of Directors was convened to address the recent developments concerning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka. The BCB's statement indicated that the Board thoroughly evaluated the situation, expressing significant concern over the conditions affecting the Bangladesh National Team's participation in matches in India.

After careful consideration of the current circumstances and the increasing safety concerns for the Bangladesh contingent, along with advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board decided that the national team would not travel to India for the tournament under the existing conditions.

Formal Request to ICC

The BCB has formally requested the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh's matches to venues outside India to ensure the safety of players and officials. They are currently awaiting a prompt response. The BCB emphasized that this action is crucial for the protection and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members, and other stakeholders, allowing the team to participate in a secure environment. The Board is hopeful for the ICC's understanding and an urgent reply regarding this matter.

Controversy Surrounding Muztafizur Rahman's Release from KKR

A media advisory from KKR confirmed Mustafizur's release, stating, "Kolkata Knight Riders acknowledges that BCCI/IPL, as the governing body of IPL, has directed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season."

This decision by KKR followed a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who mentioned that the BCCI had instructed KKR to release the Bangladeshi pacer due to recent developments. Saikia noted, "Given the ongoing situation, BCCI has directed the franchise KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, and they will allow any replacement requests."

The inclusion of Mustafizur in the IPL sparked political controversy in India, especially in light of recent incidents involving the targeting of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Various opinions emerged regarding his selection by KKR for the IPL 2026 season, where he was acquired for Rs 9.20 crores during the IPL auction last December.