By PingTV News Desk | Updated: January 4, 2026
DHAKA/NEW DELHI – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international cricket community, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has officially announced that its national team will not travel to India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The decision, confirmed by BCB directors following an emergency meeting on Sunday, cites severe “security concerns” for the players and support staff. The board has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches from Indian venues to Sri Lanka.
The Mustafizur Rahman Controversy: The Breaking Point
The standoff appears to be deeply rooted in the recent controversy surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. On Saturday, the BCCI reportedly instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur from their squad ahead of the 2026 IPL season.
Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, stated that the safety of the entire national team cannot be guaranteed if a single player faces such treatment.
“If a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite having a valid contract, then Bangladesh cannot consider it safe for its entire cricket team to travel to India for the World Cup,” Nazrul wrote on social media.
Request for Venue Shift to Sri Lanka
Bangladesh was scheduled to play three group-stage matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The BCB has now proposed a “hybrid model” similar to the one already in place for Pakistan, whose matches are scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.
BCB Director Khaled Mashud Pilot confirmed the formal request to the ICC: “We have sent a letter to the ICC requesting that our matches be moved to Sri Lanka. We will not accept the humiliation of our players or compromise their safety.”
Impact on the T20 World Cup 2026
The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin on February 7, 2026. Bangladesh is placed in Group C alongside:
-
England
-
West Indies
-
Nepal
-
Italy
BCCI and ICC Response
While the ICC has yet to issue a final ruling on the BCB’s request, sources within the BCCI have described the demand for a wholesale venue shift as “logistically impossible” given the proximity to the tournament start date.
The situation remains fluid, with potential diplomatic implications between the two nations’ cricketing bodies.
PingTV News will continue to provide live updates as this story develops.
Unprecedented Move: Netanyahu Seeks Presidential Pardon in Ongoing Corruption Trial
Tragic Stampede Claims 10 Lives at Kasibugga Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh
