(Web Desk) – Bangladesh has formally refused to play its T20 World Cup matches in India, citing serious security concerns for its players after star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid rising political tensions between the two neighboring countries.
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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after holding an emergency meeting on Sunday, announced that it had requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s scheduled matches to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are due to play three group-stage matches in Kolkata next month during the February 7 to March 8 T20 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the BCB said the board had resolved that the national team would not travel to India “under the current conditions,” adding that the decision was taken following advice from the government and growing concerns about the safety and security of Bangladeshi players.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the ICC, as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” the statement said.
The situation escalated after Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad. The franchise confirmed that the decision was taken after being advised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Mustafizur, 30, was bought by the Shah Rukh Khan–owned franchise for more than $1 million at the IPL auction in December.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the franchise had been advised to release the Bangladesh pacer “considering recent developments,” though no further details were provided.
Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul strongly criticized the move, calling it an insult to Bangladeshi cricket. “We will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances,” he said. “The days of slavery are over.”
Nazrul said he had directed the BCB to inform the ICC that if a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being under contract, then the entire national team cannot feel safe participating in a World Cup there. He also said the government would consider blocking IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, adding that he had requested the relevant authorities to take steps in this regard.
BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul said the board’s priority was to protect its players. “The dignity and security of our cricketers are our top priorities, and we will take a decision at the appropriate time keeping these in mind,” he told reporters.
The development mirrors recent precedents set by India itself in international cricket. Last year, the ICC allowed India to play Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to strained relations with host Pakistan. Under a similar arrangement, Pakistan will play all of its T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka, allowing both arch-rivals to compete at neutral venues in multinational tournaments.
Political relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened since a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was regarded as a close ally of New Delhi. India has since raised concerns over alleged hostility toward minorities in Bangladesh, an accusation rejected by interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.
On Sunday, cricket news website Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would also seek a formal explanation from the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s release. The ICC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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