Cricket: Bangladesh refuse to play T20 World Cup in India amid growing tensions between the nations

by Devesh Jaganath

image Cricket: Bangladesh refuse to play T20 World Cup in India amid growing tensions between the nations
The Bangladesh national cricket team have confirmed that they will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup next month. The Bangladesh Cricket Board have requested that the ICC move their matches for the tournament to co-host Sri Lanka amid growing tensions between the countries.

BCB confirm Bangladesh will not travel to India for T20 World Cup

We are exactly a month away from the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup, in which India will be aiming to defend their title on home soil. We will be covering all the matches at the upcoming tournament in our in-depth cricket predictions. 

However, in the lead-up to the global competition, Bangladesh have now revealed that they will not play any of their matches in India, amid growing political tensions between the nations that have seemingly spilt into the sporting realm. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board cited “safety and well-being” of their players and officials as the primary reason for their refusal to travel to India, and have requested that the International Cricket Council move their fixtures to co-hosts Sri Lanka. The BCB’s official statement read: 

"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 Tigers are scheduled to play three of their T20 World Cup matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai during the group stage of the tournament. With their request to move their fixtures, the ICC now faces major logistical challenges, though no decision has been made as yet by the global cricketing governing body. 

It is understood that the issue arose after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League campaign without providing a reason for his axing. 

Rahman was signed by KKR for ₹9.2 crore at the 2026 IPL mini auction last year, and it is still unclear as to who authorised the Tigers’ speedster to be removed, given that there has not been an IPL governing council meeting since the auction on December 16. 

 

Bangladesh announce squad for 2026 T20 World Cup

t20_world_cup_bangladesh_2

Despite the ongoing issue, Bangladesh have no intention of foregoing the T20 World Cup next month and announced a formidable 15-man squad for the tournament last weekend, which will be led by Litton Das. 

Rahman has been included in the Tigers' squad and is expected to spearhead their pace attack alongside Taskin Ahmed, while Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon will be tasked with leading their batting lineup at the tournament. 

Bangladesh 2026 T20 World Cup Squad

Litton Das (C), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shoriful Islam