Tamim Iqbal Advocates for Dialogue Amid Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Uncertainty

As Bangladesh faces uncertainty regarding its participation in the T20 World Cup in India, former captain Tamim Iqbal emphasizes the need for dialogue to address safety concerns. He advocates for prioritizing the interests of Bangladesh cricket and suggests that sensitive issues should be discussed internally within the board before making public statements. The BCB has requested the ICC to consider relocating matches due to security concerns, following backlash over player Mustafizur Rahman's IPL release. Bangladesh's T20 World Cup campaign is set to begin on February 7 against West Indies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 9, 2026, 14:34 IST

Concerns Over Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Participation

With the upcoming T20 World Cup on the horizon, uncertainty looms over Bangladesh's visit to India. Former captain Tamim Iqbal emphasized the need for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to engage in discussions to address the current situation, prioritizing the future of cricket in the country. His remarks were made during the trophy unveiling for the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament at the City Club ground on Thursday.

Request for Match Relocation

The BCB has expressed concerns regarding player safety and security, prompting them to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider relocating their matches outside of India. This request follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 roster, amid rising tensions regarding minority treatment in Bangladesh.

Tamim's Call for Prioritizing Dialogue

Tamim Iqbal, while not directly involved with the BCB, stated that he learns about developments through media channels and refrained from commenting without complete information. He underscored the importance of prioritizing Bangladesh cricket's interests and future, advocating for resolution through dialogue. "I believe that the interests of Bangladesh cricket should be at the forefront of any decisions made," he remarked.

Internal Discussions Recommended

He further suggested that sensitive matters should be deliberated internally within the board before any public statements are made, as public comments can be challenging to retract. Tamim reiterated that the future of Bangladesh cricket is paramount, especially since a significant portion of funding is sourced from the ICC. "Decisions should be made with the aim of benefiting cricket in Bangladesh," he added.

Background of the Current Situation

The controversy surrounding Mustafizur's participation has sparked significant backlash in India due to ongoing issues faced by minorities in Bangladesh. Following his release from the IPL, the BCB received feedback from the ICC regarding their security concerns for players during the T20 World Cup, including a request to move matches to a different location. The ICC has assured the BCB of its commitment to ensuring the Bangladesh team's full participation in the tournament.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Fixtures

Bangladesh is set to kick off their T20 World Cup 2026 journey on February 7 against the two-time champions, West Indies, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Following this match, they will compete against Italy on February 9 at the same venue, and then face the reigning T20 World Cup champions, England. After their match against England, Bangladesh will head to Mumbai to take on Nepal at Wankhede Stadium.