The T20I World Cup is going to start in a month and in a significant development ahead of the world cup Bangladesh Cricket Board asked the ICC to shift all of their matches to Sri Lanka as they have cited concerns about growing security and safety in India.
"Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions," the BCB statement says.
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They also added, “ The Board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment. The Bangladesh Cricket Board looks forward to the ICC's understanding of the situation and an urgent response on this matter."
What went wrong?
This decision comes after Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman amid controversies surrounding him and the BCCI’s mandate ahead of the IPL 2026 season. His inclusion in the KKR team has sparked widespread debate, and politicians and parties targeted the team owner Shah Rukh Khan. Though, the stalwart Bangladeshi fast bowler did not have any direct role in Bangladesh's ongoing situation. A few days ago, the protesters of Bangladesh, set ablaze a living Bangladeshi Hindu, following that Shiv Sena and BJP ministers and leaders started questioning Fizz’s inclusion in the IPL. The left-arm pacer was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders at the auction for rupees 9.2 crore and he became the highest-paid Bangladeshi cricketer ever. KKR will have to fill the vacancy now and the BCCI allowed them to get a replacement from the remaining players. The decision was not linked to performance or fitness but stemmed from developments outside the sporting sphere, which triggered backlash and public discussion.
Releasing a media advisory KKR stated "Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.”
"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course.” They added.
Bangladesh were scheduled to play their group matches in Kolkata against West Indies, Italy, England and one in Mumbai against Nepal.
