Bangladesh captain Litton Das and other players wanted to play T20 World Cup in India, but BCB…

Bangladesh’s absence from the 2026 T20 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most controversial stories in international cricket, and new reports suggest the players themselves had little say in the decision.

According to Cricbuzz, Bangladesh’s men’s cricketers were effectively informed, not consulted, about the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s call to skip travelling to India for the tournament. The decision, which amounts to pulling out of an ICC event, has left several senior players frustrated and disappointed.

‘The decision was already made’

A meeting was recently held between the players and the government’s sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, but those in attendance felt it was more of a formality than a genuine discussion. Players reportedly went in hoping they could change the board’s stance. Instead, they were left with the impression that the outcome had already been decided.

“The meeting was called not to give our consent, as it was made out to be initially,” a cricketer was quoted as saying anonymously. “We were just told what was happening. Our views didn’t really matter.”

Both T20 captain Litton Das and Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto are understood to have spoken in favour of travelling to India. Despite that, the BCB stood firm, citing ongoing security concerns and referring to previous incidents and alleged threats involving Bangladeshi players.

Government influence at play?

Within Bangladesh, the move is widely being seen as a reflection of the BCB’s alignment with the national government, especially at a time when diplomatic relations with India are reportedly strained.

“They didn’t ask us,” the same player added. “They made the plan and told us it’s not happening. Earlier, they would listen. Now, it’s different. The government’s call was already made.”

The sense among players is that the decision came from the top, leaving little room for debate or negotiation.

Confusion over communication

Players were also informed that there had been no direct communication from the BCCI, raising doubts among officials about the logistics and feasibility of sending the team. BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul attempted to reassure the squad, but the message didn’t land. Many felt the matter was already closed before the meeting even began.

Meanwhile, the BCB has publicly accused the ICC of injustice over the situation. The world governing body, however, appears to be moving on, with reports suggesting Scotland is being lined up as Bangladesh’s replacement for the tournament.

A bitter outcome

For Bangladesh’s players, the fallout is hard to ignore. Missing a T20 World Cup is no small thing, especially for a group keen to test itself on the biggest stage. For now, though, the cricketers seem caught between boardroom politics and government decisions, watching from the sidelines as one of the sport’s biggest events moves on without them.