The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday officially resolved not to send the national team to India for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In an emergency meeting held in Dhaka, the board cited "prevailing circumstances" and the advice of the Bangladesh government as the primary reasons for the decision, which has thrown the tournament’s logistics into uncertainty just weeks before its February 7 start date. Bangladesh National Cricket Team Decide Against Travelling to India For ICC T20 World Cup 2026; BCB Takes Decision Following Mustafizur Rahman Controversy.

The resolution follows a weekend of escalating tensions between the two neighbors. The friction intensified after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his ₹9.20 crore contract, citing recent political developments.

The Official Statement

Following the board meeting, the BCB released a comprehensive statement detailing its position. The board expressed "deep concern" over the environment in India and the safety of its contingent.

BCB's Statement 

"The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours," the statement read. "Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions."

Request for Venue Relocation

The BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside of India, suggesting Sri Lanka as the preferred alternative. Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play three high-profile group matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

The board emphasized that this step is necessary to "safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, and other stakeholders." They noted that a secure and appropriate environment is paramount for the team's participation in the global event.

Government Intervention and Context

The decision was heavily influenced by Bangladesh’s interim government. Asif Nazrul, the Sports Advisor, stated earlier on Sunday that if a single contracted player like Mustafizur Rahman cannot be guaranteed safety in India, the government cannot justify sending the entire national squad.

"The board should make it clear that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire team cannot feel safe," Nazrul said. He also noted that the move was a response to what he described as the "communal policy" of the Indian cricket board.

Impact on the Tournament

The refusal poses a major challenge for the ICC. India and Sri Lanka are joint hosts of the 2026 edition, and Pakistan is already scheduled to play all its matches in Sri Lanka due to similar political constraints. Is IPL Logo Inspired by Ex-Bangladesh Cricketer Mashrafe Mortaza or Ab de Villiers?

If the ICC grants Bangladesh’s request, it would require a significant overhaul of the Group C schedule, affecting other nations like England and the West Indies. However, the BCCI has reportedly viewed such a late change as "logistically impossible," creating a potential standoff between the host nation and the participating board.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2026 10:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).