Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move all of Bangladesh’s matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 out of India and relocate them to Sri Lanka. The request follows rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh and serious concerns about player safety following a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) controversy.
The issue has quickly become a significant talking point in world cricket, with Bangladesh officials making it clear that the national team does not feel comfortable travelling to India under the current situation.
Why does Bangladesh want the T20 World Cup matches moved from India?
The request from the BCB is directly linked to the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract. The Kolkata Knight Riders signed Mustafizur for the IPL 2026 season, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India later instructed the franchise to release him. This move came amid public and political anger in India following reports of violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Some Indian political voices objected to the presence of a Bangladeshi player in the league during this sensitive period.
Bangladesh’s interim government sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, strongly criticised the situation. He stated that if a Bangladeshi player cannot feel safe playing in the IPL, the national team also cannot feel safe travelling to India for a global event like the T20 World Cup. After an emergency meeting, the BCB formally wrote to the ICC, citing safety concerns and government advice. According to a Reuters report, Bangladesh has made it clear that it does not want to play its World Cup matches in India under the current circumstances.
IPL controversy and Bangladesh players’ recent history
There has also been confusion around Bangladesh players’ involvement in the IPL. In the 2025 IPL mega auction, no Bangladeshi players were signed. Mustafizur Rahman was listed but went unsold, while senior players like Shakib Al Hasan were not even part of the auction list. This lack of selection was mainly due to form, availability issues, and teams’ preference for Indian domestic players. Claims that Bangladeshi players were picked only after a “war break” are incorrect.
Historically, Bangladesh players have regularly featured in the IPL. Mustafizur has played for teams like Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, while Shakib Al Hasan has also had multiple IPL stints. Mustafizur even played an essential role for the Delhi Capitals in the 2025 season as a replacement signing. The current situation is not about long-term exclusion but a sudden political flashpoint. The ICC is now reviewing the BCB’s request and is expected to consult all stakeholders before taking a final call on venue changes for the T20 World Cup 2026.
