Dhaka, January 4, 2026: Bangladesh has decided not to play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, citing serious concerns over player safety amid escalating political tensions between the two neighbours, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Sunday.
The decision follows the sudden removal of Bangladesh’s star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), a move that has triggered strong reactions in Dhaka. In an emergency meeting, the BCB resolved to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said the decision was taken after careful consideration of the prevailing situation.
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The board has made this decision today,” Nazrul said in a statement shared on social media. He added that the move was justified in light of what he described as “extreme communal policies” observed by India’s cricket authorities.
Following Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the IPL on Saturday, reportedly on the directive of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to “recent developments” in Bangladesh, the BCB convened an emergency meeting. Officials expressed concern that if a contracted Bangladeshi player could be barred from participating in India, the national team could not feel secure during a major international tournament.
“As a Bangladeshi cricketer could not play in India despite holding a contract, the entire national team cannot feel safe participating in the World Cup there,” Nazrul said. He added that the board had been instructed to seek relocation of Bangladesh’s matches, stressing that Dhaka would not tolerate any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, its players, or the country.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul said player safety remains the board’s top priority. In an official statement, the board said the decision was taken after assessing security risks and acting on advice from the Bangladesh government.
“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and considering 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 said.
The board confirmed that it has formally requested the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India. Sources said the ICC is open to considering the request, with Sri Lanka—one of the tournament’s co-hosts—emerging as a possible alternative venue. A final decision is expected within the next day or two.
Under the original schedule, Bangladesh were placed in Group C and were set to play all four group-stage matches in India—three at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Their fixtures included matches against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, England on February 14, and Nepal on February 17.
Meanwhile, the BCB also announced Bangladesh’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Top-order batter Litton Kumar Das has been named captain, with Saif Hassan appointed as vice-captain. Notably, wicketkeepers Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam Ankon were left out, while in-form batter Najmul Hossain Shanto also failed to secure a place in the squad.
The T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, with matches planned across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka.
