Manoj Tiwary Advocates for Suspension of Sporting Ties Amid Humanitarian Concerns

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has expressed his strong views on the need to reconsider sporting ties with nations facing humanitarian issues, particularly in light of Bangladesh's uncertainty regarding the T20 World Cup in India. Tiwary's comments reflect a broader concern about the implications of sports amidst serious global issues. He emphasizes that if any Indian is harmed abroad, India should not engage in sporting relations with that country. His remarks come against a backdrop of rising tensions in Bangladesh, where anti-India sentiments are growing. The ICC has assessed the security risks for the tournament as low to moderate, contradicting claims of an unsafe environment for the matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 20:50 IST

Tiwary's Firm Position on Sporting Relations

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has voiced a strong opinion regarding Bangladesh's hesitation to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes that sporting relationships should be reconsidered when humanitarian issues arise.

In his comments, Tiwary referenced previous events, stating that his views have not changed. He remarked, "During the Pahalgam terrorist attack, I expressed that India should refrain from playing against Pakistan. Despite government approval, I maintain that such matches should not occur."

Tiwary emphasized that the matter extends beyond just cricket. He stated, "If any Indian is brutally killed in any nation, be it Bangladesh, England, Australia, or elsewhere, India should not sustain sporting ties with that nation."

He further elaborated, "Sports should remain separate from serious issues, yet these matches will likely proceed as they did against Pakistan in the past. However, my personal stance is clear: they should not play."

Background of Rising Tensions and Security Concerns

Tiwary's comments come amid escalating tensions in Bangladesh, marked by attacks on the Hindu community and increasing anti-India sentiments. Recently, Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, indicated that there is "no conducive environment to host" the T20 World Cup in India, citing a "letter" from the International Cricket Council (ICC) security team, as reported by the state news agency.

ICC's Security Evaluation

According to sources from the International Cricket Council (ICC), independent risk assessments conducted by globally recognized security experts have not determined that Bangladesh is unable to participate in its scheduled T20 World Cup matches in India. They noted that the overall security risk for the tournament has been evaluated as low to moderate, aligning with the security profiles of many significant global sporting events.