Overview:
The situation between the BCCI and BCB became tense on Saturday when Kolkata Knight Riders were told to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the team ahead of IPL 2026.
Bangladesh Cricket Board is not ready to allow the national team to play their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League 2026. The global tournament will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with Bangladesh placed in Group A alongside England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies.
Bangladesh’s matches are in Kolkata and Mumbai, but the BCB are worried about the security of its players in India.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the BCB has decided to write to the apex body of international cricket regarding the matter.
The BCCI has reacted to the ongoing reports, saying that shifting matches from India will create a logistical hurdle, and one cannot keep changing the venue.
“You can’t change the schedule as it will be a logistical nightmare. The tickets and hotels have been booked,” news agency PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
“There, games will be played on all days, which means one match in Sri Lanka. The broadcasting crew is involved. It will not be easy,” the source added.
The situation between the BCCI and BCB became tense on Saturday when Kolkata Knight Riders were told to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the team ahead of IPL 2026. The 30-year-old was bought for INR 9.2 crore in the auction, but the three-time champions parted ways with the player after getting instructions from the BCCI.
The political tensions between the two countries have taken centre stage after minorities were targeted in Bangladesh.
The sports ministry of Bangladesh has ordered the BCB to seek the relocation of the matches.
“I have instructed the cricket board to speak to the ICC on the matter. Bangladesh’s national team will not feel safe travelling to India to play World Cup matches. I have also directed the board to ensure that matches are held in Sri Lanka instead of India,” government advisor Asif Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.