Dhaka 8 January 2026: Bangladesh’s youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has confirmed that the national cricket team won’t travel to India for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in 2026 unless significant modifications have been made to host arrangements. The announcement, made after an extremely high-level meeting with officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) highlights the concerns that lie in the safety of players as well as national pride and the diplomatic tensions between two neighboring nations.

The Dr. Nazrul addressed gathered media representatives in Dhaka after a meeting with BCB the leadership which included the president Aminul Islam Bulbul and board directors. He said that although Bangladesh remains a country that is determined to compete at a international level but the government is not willing to compromise on issues that affect the safety and honor of its players and its citizens.

In the words of Nazrul, the main focus of the government’s policy extends beyond the conventional realm of sports logistics and into issues which it categorizes as “national security” and “national dignity.” He emphasized that Bangladesh’s selection for qualifying for the T20 World Cup was achieved with a great deal of effort and Bangladesh should legitimately be able to play in the event. But the current arrangement for games in India is, as he said, is a risk and could cause affronts that the government regards as unacceptable.

The most important issue facing Bangladesh is the ongoing debate surrounding the speedster Mustafizur Rahman, whose contract with Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders was terminated in response to a decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Dhaka considers this decision to be an indication of a wider situation that could threaten the safety and security for Bangladeshi players. The doctor. Nazrul cited this decision as proof that the security situation of the Bangladeshi cricketers playing in India is deteriorating, noting that these developments have exacerbated already difficult relations between India and Bangladesh.

In reaction to these developments in response to these developments, the Bangladesh administration’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently announced a ban on the broadcasting of the IPL in Bangladesh. The decision was presented as protest against the what Dhaka called unjust as well as “illogical” treatment of the national team and further aligning sports diplomacy to broader sensitivities between bilaterals.

At the press conference at the press conference, during the briefing, Dr. Nazrul confirmed that Bangladesh has officially expressed its concerns to ICC. He acknowledged receiving an email from the world’s cricket governing body after some recent meetings, yet he maintained that the letter was not able to comprehend the gravity of the issue from Bangladesh’s viewpoint. “After reading the letter from the ICC, it felt to us that they have not fully understood the serious security situation that has developed in India for Bangladeshi cricketers,” the cricketer said in local media reports.

Nazrul stated that the problem of Bangladesh isn’t just about logistical efficiency, but it also touches sensitive national sentiments “It is not just a security issue; it is an issue of national honour as well,” Nazrul was quoted as declaring.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially asked for all Bangladeshi matches during the ICC T20 World Cup, which Bangladesh will co-host alongside Sri Lanka, be relocated to Sri Lankan venues. The fixtures comprise three group stage matches that are scheduled for Kolkata and one match in Mumbai according to the current event program. If the ICC to reject the Bangladeshi request, its refusal to send a teams to India could lead to the forfeiture in match point, thus making it less likely to participate at the event.

In his remarks, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul agreed with the government’s position in reiterating that safety and security of national players as well as the personnel associated with it are of paramount importance. Bulbul said that the board will adhere to government guidelines and will continue dialogue with the ICC in search of a feasible solution. Bulbul declared that the BCB will send a formal message to the ICC within the next few days to reiterate Bangladesh’s position.

The officials who attended the meeting emphasized that Bangladesh’s policy is firm and reflects a larger consensus of the nation rather than an unilateral decision of the board of cricket. Bulbul pointed out that BCB’s relationship with the ICC is constructive and professional however, the board must abide by instructions from the state. He added that the BCB believes that the ICC will examine the arguments in a fair manner and will make adjustments in order to allow Bangladesh’s participation in conditions that are in line with its standards of safety and dignity.

Analysts say this move represents some of the more important geopolitical conflicts between the cricket administration and national policy of the government in recent times. This also highlights the difficulties that come with hosting high-profile international sporting events in volatile political environments. The ICC on its own has expressed its willingness to collaborate with BCB BCB regarding security plans in order to ensure that it works closely to facilitate the safety of the athletes participating. But, there are disagreements about the meaning of risk levels as well as the proper security measures.

A long-standing precedent highlights the delicateness regarding venue relocations during ICC tournaments. Previous cases of teams refusing to play in venues assigned to them required lengthy negotiations, frequently influenced by security assessments and diplomatic concerns. The ICC’s hybrid model for tournaments has been able to address security concerns by scheduling matches across several countries, could be an underlying model for future changes, but no concrete decision has been taken at the moment.

While discussions continue in Bangladesh, the government and the cricket board have stated that their primary goal is to ensure the safety of fans, players and support staff as well as journalists who will be accompanying the team. They claim that without the assurances of addressing their concerns, the participation of India could have far-reaching implications for Bangladesh’s national interests.

The Bangladeshi government’s stance is drawing diverse international attention. Observers commenting that a decision requires careful consideration by all parties involved, including the ICC and co-host boards as well as governmental authorities. The outcomes of these discussions could affect not just this year’s T20 World Cup but also future interactions between cricketing nations as well as their bodies of governance.

Key Points:

• Bangladesh has decided to not take its team of cricketers for India during this year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 because of security and dignity issues.
• Officials from the government and BCB officials have asked BCB leaders to relocate games to Sri Lanka.
• The controversy over Mustafizur Rahman’s expulsion out of the IPL team has been cited as the catalyst behind the current controversy.
• The ICC has stated its the willingness to work on security plans but hasn’t yet agreed to move matches.
• The Bangladeshi government’s policy emphasizes honor for the nation along with the safety of players.