Bangladesh Cricket Team Faces Uncertainty Ahead of T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh cricket team is under pressure as uncertainties loom over their participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has voiced concerns about the psychological impact on players due to ongoing disputes and security issues. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested to shift matches to Sri Lanka, citing safety concerns. Tensions have escalated following controversial remarks made by a BCB director about former captain Tamim Iqbal. As the tournament approaches, the team is striving to focus on performance amidst these distractions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 11, 2026, 16:19 IST

Concerns Over T20 World Cup Participation

Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of the Bangladesh Test team, has expressed that the players are feeling the pressure regarding their participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India. While the team is trying to maintain a facade of normalcy, Shanto acknowledged the mental toll of the ongoing uncertainty.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reached out to the ICC to request a relocation of the matches to Sri Lanka, citing security issues in India. The tournament is set to kick off on February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to play three games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

Recurring Distractions Before Major Tournaments

Shanto pointed out that distractions have become a common occurrence for the Bangladesh team before significant tournaments. He remarked, "Something always happens before every World Cup. From my experience of three World Cups, it does impact us." Despite the challenges, players are striving to concentrate on their performance.

The situation intensified when BCB director M Najmul Islam referred to former captain Tamim Iqbal as an "Indian agent" in a now-deleted Facebook post. Tamim had previously urged the board to handle the situation with calmness and practicality. Shanto condemned this remark, labeling it disrespectful and unacceptable.

Call for Respect Among Players

Expressing his disappointment, Shanto stated, "It is very sad to see such comments directed at a cricketer, especially a former captain and one of Bangladesh's most celebrated players whom we all admired." He emphasized that players deserve respect, regardless of their status, and criticized the board for not acting as a supportive entity.

He compared the situation to parents correcting their children in private rather than publicly, stating that such comments are hard to accept. "As a player, I completely reject it," he concluded.

Escalating Tensions and Security Concerns

Tensions rose further when pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL on the instructions of the BCCI, citing undisclosed reasons. In response, Bangladesh has refused to travel to India, reiterating its demand to shift matches to Sri Lanka.

The BCB has sent a follow-up letter to the ICC, reiterating its request and outlining specific security concerns. While the ICC has asked for additional information, it has not made any public statements.

Bangladesh Squad for the T20 World Cup

The squad representing Bangladesh in the tournament includes Litton Das as captain, along with players such as Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, and Shoriful Islam.