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Published : 04 Jan 2026, 04:06 PM
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has drawn a firm line over security, deciding that the national team will not play its T20 World Cup matches in India and will instead seek a venue shift to Sri Lanka from the ICC.
The decision came at an emergency virtual meeting of BCB directors on Sunday, following a sharp escalation in tensions following an Indian cricket board decision asking the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman.
Nazmul Abedeen, head of the board’s cricket operations department, told bdnews24.com: “We do not want to say anything separately at this moment. A detailed press statement will be issued very soon.”
The decision was publicly confirmed at 3:20pm by Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul in a social media post.
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today. I welcome this decision taken in the context of the aggressive communal policies of the Indian cricket board,” he wrote.
BCB directors had also discussed the issue the previous night. At that stage, the board had opted for a cautious approach, deciding to write to the ICC seeking clarification on security arrangements, with most directors reluctant to adopt a hard line or demand a change of venue.
However, sources said the board’s stance shifted decisively after the government signalled a sterner position on the matter.
Mustafizur had been bought for 92 million rupees, but the franchise dropped him following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Indian cricket board Secretary Devajit Saikia said the decision was taken in view of “recent developments”. The franchise later formally released Mustafizur.
The episode prompted fresh questions over the safety and treatment of the Bangladesh national team should it travel to India for the World Cup.
In a subsequent social media post, the sports advisor said: “I have instructed the board to inform the ICC that if a contracted Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot consider it safe to travel there for the World Cup. I have also directed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.”
BCB directors had initially agreed that their letter to the ICC would stop short of demanding a venue change, taking into account broader diplomatic and cricketing considerations. That position was later revised following direct government intervention.
Earlier on Sunday, the BCB announced a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup at around 12:30pm.
The decision places Bangladesh alongside Pakistan, who will also not play their World Cup matches in India. Last year, India declined to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and earlier skipped touring the country for the Asia Cup, resulting in Pakistan’s matches being scheduled in co-host Sri Lanka.
