Politics triumphs over cricket in Bangladesh:Inside what triggered the country’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to boycott the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing safety concerns. The tournament is jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and is scheduled to begin on 7 February 2026. Earlier, the ICC had given the Bangladesh Cricket Board a 24-hour window to take a final call on the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh’s sports and legal adviser, Dr Asif Nazrul, met members of the national squad on 22 January at 3 pm local time at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. Following the meeting, an understanding was reached to withdraw from the high-profile tournament. “We all wanted to play in the tournament. However, we have noticed that the security threat in India has not gone away. The ICC has not taken a firm stance on the actual issue and has only reiterated its standard security procedures. We are still hopeful that the ICC will find a way,” Asif Nazrul said after the meeting. Let us understand why Bangladesh backed out of the T20 World Cup in today’s explainer. Why is Bangladesh not playing the T20 World Cup in India? The Bangladesh Cricket Board decided not to participate in the T20 World Cup due to safety concerns following the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). On 4 January, the BCB held an emergency meeting and announced that, under the prevailing circumstances, Bangladesh would not send its players to India for the T20 World Cup. However, during its Board meeting on 21 January 2026, the ICC stated that it did not find any security threat to players, officials or staff. How did the controversy start? The controversy traces back to the July–August student uprising in Bangladesh last year, which led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently took shelter in India. Relations between India and Bangladesh deteriorated under Bangladesh’s transitional government. Hindus were allegedly targeted in Bangladesh, and anti-India slogans and protests were reported in parts of the country. The situation escalated following the death of anti-India student activist Omar Sheikh Hadi, who was shot in the head in Dhaka. He was later flown to Singapore for further treatment, but died after battling for his life for over a week. At least 10 Hindus have reportedly been killed in Bangladesh. Politics began brewing over the condition of Hindus in India’s eastern neighbour, with Hindu organisations in India speaking out against the targeted killings. What was the Mustafizur Rahman controversy? Ahead of the IPL season beginning on 26 March, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) included Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in their squad. Storyteller Devkinandan criticised the move, saying, “Hindus are being brutally killed in Bangladesh. Their sisters and daughters are being raped. How can anyone be so cruel as to include a cricketer from that country in their team?” BJP leader Sangeet Som went a step further, calling KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan a traitor and alleging that he supports Bangladesh at times and Pakistan at others. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam appealed to Shah Rukh Khan, saying that when the entire country is angry over developments in Bangladesh, KKR should drop the Bangladeshi player. As the controversy escalated, the BCCI instructed KKR to remove Mustafizur from the team. On 3 January, KKR announced his removal through a social media post, adding that a replacement player would be signed. Mustafizur had been bought for ₹9.2 crore. The bidding was initially opened by Delhi Capitals, with KKR entering at ₹5.40 crore. Chennai Super Kings also bid up to ₹9 crore. Mustafizur became the most expensive Bangladeshi player in IPL history. What did the Bangladesh Cricket Board want? In retaliation for Mustafizur Rahman’s removal, Bangladesh’s interim government banned the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh. The BCB also cancelled Mustafizur Rahman’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the IPL. The board further demanded that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka are joint hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held from 7 February to 8 March. According to the schedule, Bangladesh was to play all its group-stage matches in India—three at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 7, 9 and 14 February, and one at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on 17 February. What did the ICC Board decide? Following its Board meeting on Wednesday, 21 January, the ICC said it found no security threat in India for Bangladeshi players, officials or supporters. It described the Mustafizur Rahman episode as “singular and irrelevant” and confirmed that the schedule would remain unchanged. The ICC, the apex governing body of world cricket, held two meetings with the BCB—one online and one in person—but the deadlock remained unresolved. “The BCB’s decision not to send the team to India was taken following government instructions after the Mustafizur incident. Despite two rounds of discussions with the ICC, the board has maintained its position that Bangladesh should be allowed to play in Sri Lanka,” Dhaka Tribune reported. Which team will replace Bangladesh? Bangladesh’s proposal to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka was rejected at the ICC Board meeting by a 14–2 vote. The Pakistan Cricket Board supported Bangladesh’s request, but the majority of members voted against it. The ICC has indicated that if Bangladesh refuses to play in India, a replacement team will be named. As per ICC T20 rankings, Scotland would replace Bangladesh. Bangladesh had also proposed swapping its group with Ireland so that all matches could be played in Sri Lanka, but this was rejected. Do the players want to play in India? Yes, Bangladeshi players have expressed their desire to participate in the T20 World Cup. Mehdi Hasan said that while players want to play, the final decision rests with the authorities.
“As a player, who wouldn’t want to play the World Cup? But the decision lies with the board and the government,” he said. Litton Das stated that players were not consulted before the decision was taken.
“I don’t know. No one has spoken to me,” he said. BCB President Mohammad Aminul Islam added, “The players want to play, and the government wants Bangladesh to play. But we do not think India is safe for our players. A government considers all factors when making a decision.” Is the decision influenced by Dr Asif Nazrul’s alleged anti-India stance? In 2024, Dr Asif Nazrul criticised India for what he termed hypocrisy after New Delhi raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. In April 2025, he strongly denied an Indian media report claiming that he had met a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative after the Pahalgam terror attack. He has also frequently criticised India on social media. After the Waqf Amendment Act was passed in India, he wrote that the Modi government had taken another anti-Muslim step by allowing non-Muslims on waqf boards and increasing government control over waqf properties. Did the Bangladesh Cricket Board fail its players? From a practical standpoint, the ICC was unable to alter schedules that had been decided months in advance. Bangladeshi players showed no reluctance to play in India, even though they left the final decision to the authorities. Pakistan’s offer to host Bangladesh’s matches further highlighted how political instability is affecting cricket in the region. Most importantly, the move appears to be a symbolic opposition to India driven by broader political considerations, rather than genuine safety concerns. “The ICC Board noted that altering the schedule so close to the tournament, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise future ICC events and undermine the organisation’s neutrality,” the ICC said in a press release. What losses will Bangladesh incur by not playing the T20 World Cup?
By skipping the World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board and its affiliated businesses will face significant financial and commercial losses. Participation prize money loss Potential prize money lost: Match awards loss No Player of the Match or sponsor-backed performance awards, which also benefit the board. Sponsorship broadcast impact Team rankings Missing 4+ matches likely drops Bangladesh from 9th in ICC T20 rankings. What loss will Bangladeshi players incur by not playing the World Cup?
Players lose match fees, ranking points, exposure, and sponsorships. Direct pay loss Rankings exposure Sponsorship risk Indian kit maker SG is reportedly withdrawing sponsorships, including for captain Litton Das. Can ICC take any action against the Bangladesh team?
Yes. The International Cricket Council can act under the Members Participation Agreement. Possible actions Precedent Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended in 2019 for political interference. If political pressure is established, BCB faces serious sanctions and long-term commercial damage. Graphics: Anas Shakir Edit: Amrit Santlani and Sourya Bhaduri