Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup has become a serious challenge for the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the issue of traveling to India continues to grow more complicated instead of being resolved.
According to details, Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India for World Cup matches has turned into a major concern for the ICC. Rather than easing, the situation appears to be worsening with each passing day.
Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, has claimed that after receiving a letter from the ICC’s security team, it would be impossible for the Bangladesh team to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Speaking to the media, Asif Nazrul said there has been no progress regarding playing matches in India. He revealed that Bangladesh has sent two letters to the ICC and is still awaiting a response to the second one.
He further explained that the ICC’s security team and officials had highlighted three major security concerns in their letter that could pose serious risks to the Bangladesh team. According to the letter, tensions could rise if Mustafizur Rahman is included in the squad or if Bangladeshi fans enter stadiums wearing the national team jersey. Additionally, security threats are expected to increase as elections draw closer.
Asif Nazrul stated that the letter clearly proves that playing the T20 World Cup in India is not feasible for the Bangladesh cricket team.
He added that expecting Bangladesh to form a team without its best bowler, asking fans not to wear the national jersey, or delaying elections just to play cricket is completely unrealistic and impossible.
The sports adviser also pointed out that the current social and community environment in India, along with an ongoing anti-Bangladesh sentiment over the past 16 months, has made it impossible for Bangladesh to play there. He assured that the ICC’s security letter will be shared with the media.
Meanwhile, Indian media reports have claimed that the ICC is considering shifting Bangladesh’s matches to safer cities within India. Under the current schedule, Bangladesh is set to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. Reports suggest these matches could be moved to Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied receiving any such directive. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that no official notification regarding a change of venues has been received, and no decision has been communicated about moving Bangladesh’s matches.
He added that if any such instruction is issued, arrangements will be made accordingly.
According to the existing schedule, Bangladesh is set to play West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata, followed by a match against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.
