Bangladesh Reiterates Refusal To Play T20 World Cup Matches In India, Cites Security Concerns

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again made it clear that its national team will not travel to India for next month's T20 World Cup 2026, citing serious security concerns. The statement came after a video conference with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, where the board reaffirmed its demand to shift Bangladesh's matches to co-host nation Sri Lanka.

According to the official BCB release, the board has "reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh's matches outside India." Despite the ICC's assurance that the tournament itinerary has already been finalised, the BCB said its stance "remains unchanged."

Diplomatic Strain Deepens Over Cricket Row

Relations between India and Bangladesh have been tense for months, and the cricket dispute appears to have widened the rift. The controversy began on January 3, when Indian authorities forced Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL), despite being signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for over $1 million during the December auction.

The move sparked anger in Dhaka, where fans and officials saw it as a politically motivated act. In recent months, diplomatic ties have deteriorated following the 2024 uprising in Dhaka that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a known ally of New Delhi.

India's Ministry of External Affairs has also criticised Bangladesh over what it called "unremitting hostility against minorities." In response, Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, accused India of exaggerating the scale of unrest and interfering in domestic matters.

ICC Urges Reconsideration, BCB Holds Firm

The ICC, while acknowledging Bangladesh's concerns, has requested the BCB to reconsider its position, noting that tournament schedules and venues were confirmed months ago. The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to play four group-stage matches in India.

Despite ICC's attempts to find common ground, the BCB insists that player safety remains its top priority. The board stated, "We remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our players, officials, and staff."

As discussions continue, Bangladesh's participation in the tournament remains uncertain. The team, currently ranked ninth in the ICC T20 rankings and led by Litton Das, has competed in all nine previous editions of the T20 World Cup but has never advanced to the semi-finals.