Bangladesh Unwilling to Play World Cup Fixtures in India

The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has encountered an unexpected complication following Bangladesh’s decision not to play its scheduled matches on Indian soil. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally stated that, owing to security concerns, it is unable to send the national team to India for the tournament fixtures.

The decision was taken on Sunday afternoon after an extensive meeting involving 17 members of the BCB’s board of directors. According to board sources, the matter had been under discussion for several days amid rising concerns over player safety and the broader political climate.

The issue gained urgency following the controversial removal of Bangladesh’s star left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, from the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. On Saturday night (3 December), BCB directors convened an emergency online meeting to assess the situation. At that stage, the majority of board members advised against taking any drastic measures, favouring a cautious and diplomatic approach.

However, the board’s stance reportedly shifted after consultations at the governmental level. Subsequent assessments highlighted growing political tensions, the spread of inflammatory rhetoric on social media platforms, and fears that Bangladeshi players—particularly high-profile figures like Mustafizur—could be exposed to hostile environments during the tournament.

Speaking to the media, BCB’s Head of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedin, stated that the board would soon clarify its position publicly.

“We are in the process of finalising our official response. A formal press release will be issued shortly to outline our position clearly,” he said.

The removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL squad, reportedly following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), significantly heightened BCB’s concerns. Officials believe the episode reflects deeper issues that could potentially affect the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players during an international event hosted in India.

In response, the BCB has sent an official email to the International Cricket Council (ICC), clearly stating that participation in World Cup matches held in India is not feasible under the current circumstances. As an alternative, Bangladesh has requested that its fixtures be relocated to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host nation.

Bangladesh’s Scheduled Group Matches (As Per Original Fixture)

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to commence on 7 February, with Bangladesh originally scheduled to face the West Indies on the opening day in Kolkata. Their remaining group matches were also allocated to venues in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding venues, the BCB has continued its tournament preparations. On Sunday morning (4 December), the board announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, appointing Litton Das as captain.

The situation now places the ICC in a delicate position, as any change to venues could have logistical and diplomatic implications. Cricket fans across the subcontinent will be watching closely to see how the governing body responds to Bangladesh’s firm stance and whether a compromise solution can be reached ahead of the global tournament.