Bangladesh want their T20 World Cup games moved from India as they cite player security as reason for the move.
Due to worsening political relations between Bangladesh and India, the Kolkata Knight Riders were told to release Mustafizur Rahman. Bangladesh will request that the ICC move its Twenty20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka.
In order to voice their worries regarding player safety in Kolkata, where Bangladesh will play their first three World Cup matches next month, the BCB is anticipated to write to the ICC.
Media committee chairman Amzad Hussain told ESPNcricinfo: “We have three matches of the T20 World Cup in Kolkata, so we will write to the ICC regarding what has happened today.”
After the BCCI used “recent developments” as justification for Mustafizur’s exclusion from the IPL, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul expressed his concerns about the team’s safety in India and claimed he would give the BCB instructions to write to the ICC about shifting their games to Sri Lanka.
“I have asked the BCB to explain the entire matter to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote on his official Facebook page. “The board should inform that 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. I have also instructed the Board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.”
Mustafizur has been dropped from KKR’s team for the 2026 IPL, per the BCCI’s directives. In the IPL auction last month, KKR paid 9.2 crore for the services of the left-arm fast bowler, but in recent days, Indian political and spiritual leaders have criticised their choice.
It’s interesting to note that the BCB revealed their 2026 home schedule on Friday, which includes white-ball matches versus India—a series that was rescheduled from 2025.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches will take place in Kolkata and Mumbai. On February 7, they will play their first encounter at Eden Gardens against the West Indies.