BCB cites security risks for refusing matches in India today
Diplomatic and sporting tensions have reached a boiling point ahead of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul has explicitly stated that the national team will not travel to India for their scheduled fixtures. This firm stance comes immediately after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the board’s official request to shift their group matches to neutral venues.
During a video conference held on Wednesday, the global cricket body turned down the BCB's proposal to move their games out of India. Despite this ruling, Bulbul confirmed on Thursday that Bangladesh's position remains unchanged. He emphasized that while the nation is eager to participate in the marquee tournament, they are unwilling to compromise on safety by playing on Indian soil.
"We will continue to communicate with the ICC. We want to play the World Cup, but we won't play in India. We will keep fighting," Bulbul told reporters. He expressed frustration with the governing body, suggesting that ignoring the concerns of a major cricketing nation signifies a failure on the ICC's part.
Roots of the Conflict
The refusal stems from escalating diplomatic strain between the two neighbours regarding reports of crimes against minorities in Bangladesh. The friction spilled over into sports last year when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The BCB views this, alongside the current venue dispute, as a broader issue regarding their players' safety.
Bangladesh Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul supported the BCB's decision, stating that the ICC failed to provide adequate reassurances regarding security. He noted that there has been no communication from the Indian government to assuage their fears.
Impact on Schedule
The tournament is set to begin on February 7, 2026, with India and Sri Lanka serving as co-hosts. Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play their opener against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata—a venue closely watched by cricket fans in Odisha. They are also slated to face Italy and England in Kolkata before moving to Mumbai to play Nepal.
However, the BCB remains hopeful that the Bangladesh T20 World Cup India standoff will be resolved by shifting these specific matches to Sri Lanka.
With Agency Inputs
