Bangladesh Cricket Board Requests Relocation of T20 World Cup Matches Amid Safety Concerns
BCB's Decision on T20 World Cup Participation
In a significant move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has opted not to send its men's cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This decision follows the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed that rescheduling matches to a different venue with only a month left before the tournament begins will be a challenging task.
The BCB has officially approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request that Bangladesh's matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 be moved to locations outside of India, citing concerns over the safety and security of their players, as stated in a recent press release.
The board emphasized that the team will refrain from traveling to India for the T20 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, due to escalating worries regarding the safety of the Bangladeshi contingent.
This decision follows KKR's announcement that they have removed Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 roster, a move made in response to directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
On Instagram, Aakash noted, "With just one month remaining before the T20 World Cup kicks off on February 7, the ICC must now determine the next steps."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTF23-5kSC0/?hl=en
He further clarified that the current situation cannot be compared to India's previous decision to withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, as India had communicated their stance well in advance.
"Logistically, this is going to be quite complex. Rescheduling numerous matches on such short notice is not straightforward. India had made their position clear six months prior regarding the Champions Trophy, allowing ample time for the ICC to manage the situation. Now, time is of the essence," he concluded.
An emergency meeting of the BCB's Board of Directors was convened to discuss the recent developments concerning the T20 World Cup. The board reviewed the situation thoroughly, expressing serious concerns about the safety of the Bangladesh National Team during matches in India. After careful consideration and following advice from the Bangladesh Government, they resolved that the team would not travel to India under the current circumstances.
The BCB's statement also highlighted their formal request to the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh's matches to ensure the safety of players and officials, and they are awaiting a prompt response.
"Given this decision, the BCB has formally asked the ICC to consider moving all of Bangladesh's matches to a venue outside India. The board believes this step is crucial for the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, officials, and stakeholders, ensuring a secure environment for their participation in the tournament. The BCB anticipates the ICC's understanding and an urgent response to this matter," the statement read.
A media advisory from KKR confirmed Mustafizur's release, stating, "Kolkata Knight Riders acknowledges that BCCI/IPL, as the governing body of IPL, has instructed us to release Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the upcoming IPL season."
This decision by KKR followed a statement from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who indicated that the board had instructed KKR to release the Bangladeshi pacer due to recent developments.
"In light of the ongoing situation, BCCI has directed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, and they will allow any requested replacements," Saikia mentioned.
The inclusion of the Bangladeshi player had sparked political controversy in India, particularly amid concerns regarding the treatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Various opinions were expressed about Mustafizur's selection by KKR for the IPL 2026 season, where he was acquired for Rs 9.20 crores during the IPL auction last December.