Bangladesh Pulls Out of India T20 World Cup Games

Bangladesh has decided not to travel to India for its scheduled matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup, prompting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to formally write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking intervention.

Bangladesh’s youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the team would not participate in matches slated to be held in India when the tournament begins on February 7. Bangladesh were scheduled to play four matches, three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup, it was decided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board today,” Nazrul wrote on his official Facebook page. “We welcome this decision taken in the context of the radical communal policies of the Indian cricket board.”

The BCB confirmed that the decision was taken during a board meeting attended by 17 directors. Following the meeting, the board communicated its concerns to the ICC, requesting a change of venue for their matches.

“If they have said they cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play,” BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot said, adding that the board had asked for the matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka.

The decision follows controversy surrounding the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman by his IPL franchise after he was bought for ₹9.20 crore at the auction. The BCB has decided to revoke the no-objection certificate granted to Rahman for participation in the IPL and will also seek a formal explanation from the Indian cricket board regarding his release.

Nazrul also said he had requested Bangladesh’s information and broadcasting ministry to stop airing the IPL in the country.

The move adds further uncertainty to the T20 World Cup, which has already seen the India–Pakistan group match shifted to a neutral venue under the ICC’s hybrid model. With Bangladesh now unwilling to play in India, the tournament’s scheduling faces renewed pressure.

Bangladesh’s adviser on cultural affairs Mostofa Sarwar Farooki also criticised the situation, writing, “What happened with Mustafizur in the IPL is despicable. Bangladeshi citizens have witnessed the politics of hatred in this incident and are deeply saddened.”

He further added, “As you know, the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already expressed concern about the persecution of minority communities in India over the past few days. The relevant authorities will surely investigate whether this incident is also driven by the same motive. The safety of our cricket or football teams there in the future will also surely be considered.”