DHAKA: Bangladesh has decided not to play its scheduled matches in India during the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup amid rising diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Furthermore, Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul announced the decision on Sunday after an emergency meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The move comes a day after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed that Mustafizur had been released from their squad following advice from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
In such a scenario, the T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are due to play three of their group matches in Kolkata. However, Nazrul said the BCB had decided that the national team would not travel to India for the tournament.
In this case, Nazrul said the decision was taken in light of concerns over the treatment and security of Bangladeshi players. He described the circumstances surrounding Mustafizur’s release as unacceptable and said Bangladesh would not tolerate what he termed disrespect toward its cricketers.
Moreover, Nazrul said he had instructed the BCB to formally write to the International Cricket Council (ICC), explaining that if a contracted Bangladeshi player could not participate safely in India, the national team could not be expected to feel secure competing there. He added that Bangladesh would request that its World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.
In such a scenario, the sports adviser also said he would ask Bangladesh’s information and broadcasting authorities to suspend the broadcast of the IPL in the country.
Mustafizur, a regular member of Bangladesh’s limited-overs side, was signed by Kolkata at the IPL auction in December for more than $1 million. He has previously represented several IPL teams.
The BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul said the board’s priority was the dignity and security of Bangladeshi cricketers, adding that decisions would be taken carefully and at the appropriate time.
The cricketing dispute comes amid strained political relations between India and Bangladesh following political upheaval in Dhaka in 2024. Similar arrangements have been made in the past, including allowing India and Pakistan to play at neutral venues during ICC events.
On Sunday, cricket website Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would seek a formal explanation from the BCCI regarding Mustafizur’s release.
