In a significant escalation of sporting friction between India and Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is preparing to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift the team’s group-stage matches in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from Indian venues to Sri Lanka. This development follows the controversial release of Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
The decision to release Mustafizur came directly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which cited “recent developments” as the reason. “Due to the recent developments that are going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad,” Saikia told the news agency ANI. “BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement.”
KKR had acquired the left-arm seamer for a substantial Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL mini-auction held last month, marking him as the only Bangladeshi player selected. However, unrest affecting Hindu communities in Bangladesh prompted the BCCI’s intervention. KKR complied promptly, issuing a statement confirming the release and noting that a replacement player would be permitted.
Bangladesh’s interim government’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Dr Asif Nazrul, reacted strongly to the move. In a detailed post on his verified social media account, he condemned the BCCI’s directive, describing it as yielding to extremist pressures. Nazrul directed the BCB to formally communicate with the ICC, citing concerns over player security. He argued that if a contracted Bangladeshi cricketer faced such barriers in India, the full national team could not be assured of safe participation in an ICC event on Indian soil. Specifically, he advocated for relocating Bangladesh’s fixtures to co-host Sri Lanka.
“As the adviser in charge of the Sports Ministry, I asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board to explain the entire matter to ICC in written. The board should inform that where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup,” Dr Asif wrote on his official Facebook page. “I have also instructed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches should be held in Sri Lanka.”
He further said, “I have requested the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to stop broadcast of IPL in Bangladesh. We will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances. The days of slavery are over.”
The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to commence in February. Bangladesh, placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy, is currently scheduled to play three initial matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, before moving to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for their final group game against Nepal on February 17. Similar to arrangements for Pakistan, whose matches are all in Sri Lanka due to longstanding bilateral issues, Bangladesh now seek a parallel adjustment.
A planned bilateral white-ball series, originally postponed from 2025, remains uncertain despite recent scheduling announcements by the BCB. As the ICC prepares for the multi-nation tournament, the outcome of Bangladesh’s request could set precedents for handling politically sensitive hosting arrangements in global cricket events. It also leaves the entire schedule in jeopardy with only a month to go for the showpiece tournament. Though ICC is yet to receive any formal request regarding the matter yet.
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