Bangladeshi team couldn’t play in the World Cup, but the preparation is certainly there

The countdown to the T20 World Cup is under way, yet Bangladesh finds itself on the sidelines. Designed with the global tournament in mind, this season’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was meant to serve as the team’s primary preparation, providing crucial match practice in the absence of an international schedule. Players have certainly utilised the league to hone their skills ahead of the showpiece event. However, the effectiveness of these preparations now hangs in doubt.

For security reasons, Bangladesh remains firm in its decision to abstain from participating in the T20 World Cup in India. The stance was reaffirmed on Thursday following a meeting between the players and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul. Originally, the plan had been for the national team to travel to India two days after the BPL final, including two warm-up matches ahead of the main tournament. With that plan scrapped, Bangladesh appears set to watch the World Cup from the stands rather than the pitch.

The uncertainty surrounding the team’s World Cup participation was echoed by Chattogram Royals captain and squad member Sheikh Mehedi Hasan, who said, “Everyone focused on the final. That’s where our preparation lies. The World Cup is not in our hands; it’s a matter for management.”

The impact of this ambiguity has also been felt in the BPL’s official proceedings. In an unusual move, the trophy unveiling was delayed until the day of the final, and pre-final ceremonies involving the captains were skipped. Today, ahead of the final scheduled for 6:00 PM, the trophy will finally be presented 90 minutes before the match begins.

On the field, performances have been a mixed bag. Top-order batsmen initially struggled, but late surges from Towhid Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan Tamim revitalised their teams. Towhid ranks as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 382 runs, while Parvez Hossain Emon leads the chart with 395 runs, showcasing remarkable consistency. Conversely, key players Saif Hassan and Liton Das faced difficulties in maintaining form.

Bangladesh’s bowling attack, however, displayed better preparedness. Shariful Islam claimed 24 wickets to top the tournament’s tally, while Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Sheikh Mehedi Hasan, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib contributed significantly to their teams’ successes. Yet, with the World Cup now off the agenda, the practical value of this preparation remains uncertain.

Key Player Performances in BPL 2026

While the BPL has provided valuable match practice, the opportunity to test these preparations on the world stage will remain elusive, leaving Bangladesh in a state of anticipation and frustration as the T20 World Cup kicks off elsewhere.