DHAKA (Kashmir English): The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided that it would approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to transfer the matches of Bangladesh that are scheduled to take place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka because of security issues.
This was decided during an emergency virtual consultative meeting held by BCB with President Aminul Islam at the helm.
The officials of the board agreed to write a letter to the ICC regarding concerns about the security of Bangladeshi players while traveling to India and about the details of the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The BCB is going to ask the ICC about the security arrangements of the entire squad of Bangladesh during the upcoming World Cup because, according to them, adequate security could not be ensured for individual players in India.
This comes on the heels of the release of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who played for the Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Earlier, KKR said Rahman had been let go on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing that the call was taken by the league’s regulator, and it followed due process and consultations. The franchise further stated that it would be allowed a replacement player under IPL rules.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later told the Indian news agency that the directive was issued in the wake of recent tensions and unrest related to the participation of a Bangladeshi player in the league.
Bangladeshi media reports, however, say this decision came under pressure from India’s extremist religious leaders and political figures who have publicly opposed Bangladeshi cricketers playing in their country. It was also reported that KKR – owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan – took the action under direct orders from BCCI.
The BCB has further decided to write separate letters to the IPL governing body and the BCCI, asking for a written explanation regarding the release of Mustafizur Rahman.
According to sources quoted in the original reporting, neither the IPL authorities nor the BCCI had officially notified the BCB with their grounds before the decision.
