T20 World Cup: After Pakistan, will Bangladesh not play matches in India? Report gives big update
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is all set to officially approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to seek proper clarity regarding safety concerns for its players, fans, journalists, and sponsorship partners during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. At the same time, the board has also decided to pen a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to clarify an official statement regarding fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman’s non-selection in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side before the upcoming Indian Premiere League season.
These matters were finalized during an emergency meeting of the BCB directory convened at Sylhet amid growing discontent with regard to Mustafizur’s dismissal. KKR had to release the Bangladesh pacer based on directives from the BCCI, with KKR giving no specifics regarding this release.
The situation has triggered widespread discussions in Bangladesh, as some sections in the cricketing community as well as outside it have urged the BCB to reconsider the possibility of holding their T20 World Cup group phase matches in India. BCB officials have confirmed the reason for the lack of comfort as the inability to guarantee protection for an individual player raises doubts about the same for the whole touring party.
“We are sending letter to ICC putting three clauses into it. Firstly we would like to know from them about Mustafizur (exclusion from IPL) and secondly what is the security plan for us in the World Cup. More so because not only players will travel to India but along with them media, fans and sponsors would also travel there to see the World Cup. Those who will go there, what will be their security status,” a top BCB official told Cricbuzz.
“We are also sending an email to BCCI to know the exact picture why Mustafizur was excluded,” the official said.
The BCB has also mailed BCCI, seeking further details regarding Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit. A move that has sparked intense controversy and triggered Bangladesh – as the country now wants their T20 World Cup matches to be shifted from India to Colombo. Bangladesh begins on the very first day of the T20 World Cup tournament on February 7. They have been placed in Group C. The opponents are West Indies, England, Nepal, and Italy. Their first match will be against West Indies then against member nation Italy on February 9 and then England on February 14. Further action includes another match with Nepal on February 17 at Mumbai.