Bangladesh refuses to play T20 World Cup matches in India, citing player safety concerns after a cricketer was forced out of the IPL amid diplomatic tensions.
THE Bangladesh Cricket Board has threatened to boycott its matches in India at next month’s T20 World Cup.
This follows the forced release of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League’s Kolkata Knight Riders.
The BCB said it had formally requested the International Cricket Council to move its games to Sri Lanka.
“The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” a BCB statement read.
It cited “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its players and advice from its government.
The decision stems from political tensions that soured after a 2024 uprising in Dhaka toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.
Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said Dhaka “will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances.”
“Where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup,” he wrote.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul said “the dignity and security of our cricketers are our top priorities.”
Mustafizur was released by Kolkata after the Board of Control for Cricket in India advised the team to do so.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said Kolkata was “advised to release” the player “considering recent developments.”
Nazrul said he would also request Bangladeshi broadcasters to block the IPL.
“I have requested the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to stop the broadcasting of the IPL tournament in Bangladesh,” he said.
The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 and is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh is scheduled to play its four group matches in India.
Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka as part of a neutral-venue agreement.
The cricket dispute comes despite a recent visit by India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Bangladesh.
It also follows a BCB announcement that India would tour Bangladesh for six white-ball matches in September.
Bangladesh will hold its first elections since the 2024 uprising on February 12.
