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Bangladesh will not travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed, citing security concerns amid escalating off-field tensions involving players and bilateral sensitivities.
In an official communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB said it was “not possible” to send the national team to India under the current circumstances and requested that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to venues outside the host country.
BCB cites security risks
In an email to the ICC, the BCB said the decision was taken after a thorough review of the current situation, consultations with the Bangladesh government and growing concerns over the safety of players and officials in India.
“After a thorough assessment of the current situation and advice from the Government of Bangladesh, the Board of Directors has decided that the Bangladesh national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB said.
The board added that it had formally requested the ICC, as the event authority, to move all Bangladesh matches out of India to ensure a “safe and suitable environment” for players, team officials, board members and other stakeholders.
Mustafizur-KKR episode adds to tensions
The decision comes amid the controversy surrounding Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the Kolkata Knight Riders team ahead of IPL 2026.
Mustafizur, who was bought by KKR for ₹9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 mini-auction in December 2025, was released on Saturday after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked the franchise to let the player go. What initially appeared to be a high-profile cricket move later became embroiled in off-field and political sensitivities.
The situation has reportedly intensified due to opposition from some political and religious groups, alongside growing concerns among Indian authorities over regional instability and minority security following violent incidents in Bangladesh.
Iceland’s offer goes viral
Adding a lighter note to an otherwise tense situation, the Icelandic Cricket Association weighed in on social media.
“Before anyone asks, yes, Iceland can take Bangladesh’s place in the next T20 World Cup, and no, we have no safety and welfare concerns. Our players could do it, but we can’t,” the association wrote on X (formerly Twitter), attracting widespread attention online.
The ICC is yet to respond publicly to Bangladesh’s request, with the standoff now posing a significant logistical and diplomatic challenge for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
