In a dramatic escalation of a brewing diplomatic and sporting row, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided that its national team will not travel to India for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This unprecedented decision comes directly in the wake of the controversial release of premier pacer Mustafizur Rahman by the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The Catalyst: Mustafizur Rahman's IPL Exit
The chain of events began when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, reportedly after instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). KKR had secured the 30-year-old bowler for a significant sum of Rs 9.20 crore at the players' auction last month, far above his base price of Rs 2 crore, after a bidding war that involved Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.
Reacting to his sudden ouster from the IPL, Mustafizur expressed a sense of resignation. "If they release me, there’s nothing much I can do," he told BDCrictime. The BCCI stated that KKR would be permitted to name a replacement player for the tournament, which is scheduled to commence on March 26.
BCB's U-Turn and Government Intervention
Initially, the BCB directors, who met online on Saturday night, were not inclined to take any drastic action regarding the World Cup participation. However, the situation changed rapidly on Sunday following intervention from the Bangladesh government.
After a detailed review, the BCB held a meeting on Sunday afternoon and reversed its earlier stance. In an official release, the board expressed "deep concern over the overall circumstances" surrounding the team's planned matches in India. The statement cited a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and growing worries about the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, coupled with advice from the Bangladesh government, as reasons for the withdrawal.
Formal Request to ICC and Tournament Impact
Consequently, the BCB has taken the firm step of formally requesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider relocating all of Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches to a venue outside India. This decision throws the hosting schedule into disarray.
India and Sri Lanka are the joint hosts for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. As per the released schedule, Bangladesh was set to play the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, which is the tournament's opening day. Their remaining three group-stage matches were also slated to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai.
In a related development, the BCB had earlier on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, naming Liton Das as the team captain.
This move marks a significant fracture in cricketing relations and underscores how off-field tensions can directly impact major international sporting events. The ICC now faces a complex logistical and diplomatic challenge in responding to the BCB's request, while the absence of the Bangladesh team would undoubtedly affect the competitive balance and fan interest in the tournament.
