Bangladesh has approached the ICC to relocate its T20 World Cup fixtures after the BCCI barred Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, raising concerns over player security.
BY PC Bureau
January 4, 2026: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided against sending its team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns following the controversy surrounding pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mustafizur, who was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹9.20 crore at last month’s mini-auction, was released from the franchise after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed that he not participate in the league. The decision came amid heightened diplomatic and public tensions between India and Bangladesh following the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh.
Sources familiar with the matter said the BCB is unwilling to expose its players to potential risks and is seeking a change of venue for its T20 World Cup fixtures, proposing that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka. The board has clarified that it is not withdrawing from the tournament but does not wish to travel to India under the current circumstances.
Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul, who also oversees youth and sports matters, confirmed the decision in a social media post. “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Cricket Board has taken this decision today. We welcome it in light of recent developments and concerns over player safety,” he said.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Bangladesh likely to decide against travelling to India for T20 World Cup amid security concerns
Additionally, the BCB has revoked Mustafizur Rahman’s NOC to play the IPL pic.twitter.com/u3mcluEdQ9
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 4, 2026
Nazrul further stated that he had instructed the cricket board to submit a detailed explanation to the International Cricket Council (ICC), outlining why Bangladesh feels unsafe travelling to India when a contracted Bangladeshi cricketer was prevented from playing in the IPL.
“When a Bangladeshi player cannot play in India despite being under contract, it becomes difficult for the national team to feel secure travelling there for a global tournament,” he wrote, adding that the ICC should be formally requested to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka.
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Bangladesh are scheduled to play their T20 World Cup matches against the West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal between February 7 and February 17 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
In a further escalation, Nazrul said he had asked the country’s information and broadcasting authorities to suspend the telecast of IPL matches in Bangladesh. “We will not tolerate any disrespect towards Bangladesh cricket, Bangladeshi cricketers or the nation,” he said.
The development adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to the T20 World Cup preparations and places the ICC under pressure to address venue-related concerns amid rising geopolitical tensions in the region.
