'Safety and security concerns': What Bangladesh said on not touring India for T20 World Cup; read full statement

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday decided that the Bangladesh team will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The decision was taken at a board meeting held on Sunday afternoon.

The matter was discussed following Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL). BCB directors had earlier held an online meeting on Saturday night to deliberate on the issue.




During that meeting, most directors supported avoiding any firm action. However, after input from the Bangladesh government, the board reconsidered its position and changed its decision.

What BCB said

"The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India," BCB said in a statement.

"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 statement added.

BCB has also sought a change of venues for its matches. "In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India," the board said.

"The Board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment. The Bangladesh Cricket Board looks forward to the ICC’s understanding of the situation and an urgent response on this matter," the BCB statement read.

The development followed Mustafizur Rahman being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after directions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amid diplomatic issues between India and Bangladesh.

KKR had signed the 30-year-old left-arm pacer for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction last month. His base price was Rs 2 crore, with Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals also involved in the bidding.

The BCCI said KKR would be allowed to name a replacement player if required for the tournament, which begins on March 26.

India and Sri Lanka are joint hosts of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. According to the schedule announced so far, Bangladesh are set to play West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, the opening day of the tournament.

Bangladesh’s other three group matches are also scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Earlier on Sunday, the BCB announced a 15-member squad for the World Cup, naming Liton Das as captain.


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