Bangladesh have refused to travel to India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, citing serious concerns over the safety and well-being of their players and support staff, according to reports.
The decision comes amid deteriorating political relations between Bangladesh and India and follows recent developments involving the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including instructions issued to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
Safety Concerns Behind the Decision
In an official statement, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that the decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with the Bangladesh Government.
“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB said.
Bangladesh’s matches for the tournament were scheduled to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, with their opening fixture against West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7. With just a month remaining before the tournament begins, the decision has thrown the schedule into uncertainty.
Request to Relocate Matches
Following its decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India.
“In light of this decision, the BCB has requested the ICC, as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” the statement added.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, but unlike previous ICC events, it is not based on a hybrid hosting model—raising questions over how the ICC will respond to Bangladesh’s request.
Government Support and Internal Deliberations
Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul publicly supported the board’s decision, stating on social media that the refusal was made in the context of growing security and political concerns.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the BCB held two video-conference meetings over a 24-hour period before reaching a final decision. While the first meeting did not result in a clear outcome, a second meeting involving 17 BCB directors led to the formal communication with the ICC.
A BCB official was quoted as saying:
“If security cannot be guaranteed for one player, how can it be guaranteed for the entire team? We also have to consider the safety of fans and journalists. Under these conditions, we cannot play in India.”
Uncertainty Ahead
The BCCI has not officially clarified whether Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the KKR squad was linked to security concerns. Meanwhile, the BCB has also written to the BCCI seeking an explanation for the move, while separately sharing its broader security concerns with the ICC.
With the tournament fast approaching, the situation presents a significant logistical challenge for world cricket, as the ICC now faces a crucial decision that could reshape the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup schedule.