BCB demands relocation of T20 World Cup matches following security concerns in India
The BCB Board of Directors convened this afternoon to review rapidly evolving developments from the past 24 hours. Citing deep concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent, and acting on direct advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board resolved that participation in India is currently untenable.
In a dramatic escalation of sporting and political tensions, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of the national team's 2026 T20 World Cup matches out of India.
The decision, reached during an emergency board meeting today (4 January), marks a definitive stance that the team will not travel to India under "current conditions".
Emergency resolution
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The BCB Board of Directors convened this afternoon to review rapidly evolving developments from the past 24 hours. Citing deep concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent, and acting on direct advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board resolved that participation in India is currently untenable.
"The Board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members, and other stakeholders," the BCB stated in its official media release.
The "Mustafizur Saga" trigger
The primary catalyst for this decision was the sudden release of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Reports indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed KKR to terminate Rahman's contract – worth Rs 9.20 crore – citing the "prevailing situation" and pressure from political groups concerned about the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, strongly condemned the move, stating that if a single contracted player cannot be guaranteed safety in India, the entire national team cannot be expected to travel there. Nazrul has since instructed the BCB to propose Sri Lanka as an alternative venue for Bangladesh's fixtures.
Impact on the tournament
The development could have a direct impact on the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and scheduled to begin on 7 February.
Bangladesh is set to play four league matches in India, starting with fixtures against West Indies on 7 February and Italy on 9 February, both in Kolkata. They are also scheduled to face England in Kolkata on 14 February, before taking on Nepal in Mumbai on 17 February.
ICC and BCCI response
The BCB is currently awaiting an "urgent response" from the ICC regarding the relocation request. While the ICC has yet to issue a formal statement, BCCI sources have described the requested shift as a "logistical nightmare" given that the tournament is only one month away.
As the deadlock continues, the BCB has nonetheless moved forward with its tournament preparations, naming a 15-member squad captained by Litton Das, which includes both Mustafizur Rahman and the returning Taskin Ahmed.
