NEW DELHI: Reports suggesting that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches could be shifted out of India have prompted a response from the Indian cricket board.
Tensions between India and Bangladesh have further escalated following the exclusion of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. In light of growing security concerns after his release, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been advised to request that Bangladesh’s league-stage matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 be moved from India to Sri Lanka.
Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from Shah Rukh Khan-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the instructions of the BCCI. He had been picked up for INR 9.20 crore during the auction held in Abu Dhabi last month.
The decision sparked concerns within Bangladesh about the safety of its players in India.
Following an emergency meeting of the BCB, its president and former captain Aminul Islam did not issue any public statement.
However, Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul stated that he had directed the board to formally approach the ICC with a request to hold Bangladesh’s four league matches in Sri Lanka.
In a post on his Facebook page, Asif Nazrul said the board should make it clear that if a Bangladeshi player, who is contractually eligible to play in India is not considered safe there, then the national team cannot feel secure while playing matches in India either. He added that a formal request should be submitted to relocate the matches to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup schedule includes its opening match against the West Indies on February 7, followed by matches against Italy on February 9, England on February 14, and Nepal on February 17.
The first three matches are scheduled to be played in Kolkata, while the fourth is set to take place in Mumbai.
Sources within the BCCI have responded by stating that with only one month remaining, changing match venues is “almost impossible.”
They said matches cannot be shifted based on individual demands, as such changes are extremely difficult from a logistical standpoint.
According to BCCI sources, airline tickets and hotel bookings for teams have already been finalized, and broadcast crews are in place.
While suggestions to change venues may sound simple, implementing them would be highly challenging.
It is worth noting that India had earlier refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, after which an agreement was reached to hold matches between the two countries at neutral venues.
Under this arrangement, Pakistan will play its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
