Bangladesh Decline to Play World Cup in India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally expressed its unwillingness to send the national team to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing serious security concerns. The global tournament, scheduled to take place next month, is being jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh originally slated to play all of its group-stage matches on Indian soil.

The decision was finalised during a high-level BCB board meeting held on Sunday afternoon, attended by 17 directors. Following extensive deliberations, the board concluded that the prevailing situation in India does not provide sufficient assurance for the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players and support staff.

This development follows an emergency online meeting on Saturday night (3 December), convened after Bangladesh’s star left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman was unexpectedly dropped from his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. Initially, the majority of BCB directors advised restraint and recommended avoiding any drastic measures that might escalate tensions. However, the board’s stance reportedly shifted after consultations with senior government authorities, who urged the BCB to prioritise national security and player safety.

Speaking to the media, BCB’s Head of Cricket Operations, Nazmul Abedin, confirmed that an official press release would soon be issued. “We will clarify our position formally within a short time,” he stated, emphasising that the board’s actions were guided by responsibility rather than confrontation.

At the heart of BCB’s concerns are recent political tensions, the rise of hostile rhetoric on social media platforms, and the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman. The pacer’s removal from the IPL squad—reportedly following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)—has intensified apprehensions within the Bangladeshi camp. Board officials believe the incident has contributed to an increasingly uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environment for Bangladeshi cricketers in India.

In an official email sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB stated unequivocally that it is “not possible to send the Bangladesh team to India for the T20 World Cup due to security concerns.” As an alternative, the board has requested that Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures be relocated to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host nation.

According to the original schedule, Bangladesh were due to open their World Cup campaign on 7 February in Kolkata against the West Indies, with their remaining group matches also set to take place in Kolkata and Mumbai. Despite the uncertainty surrounding venues, the BCB proceeded with its World Cup preparations and announced a 15-member squad on Sunday morning, naming Litton Das as captain.

The ICC is now expected to assess the situation and engage with all stakeholders to determine the most practical and diplomatic resolution, as the issue carries significant implications for tournament logistics and international cricket relations.

Bangladesh’s Scheduled Group Matches (Original Plan)