Bangladesh’s cricket team will not travel to India for the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup, set to commence on February 7, according to the country’s Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul. He announced this decision on social media, stating, “The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today.”
Nazrul characterized the move as a response to what he described as the “violent and communal policy” of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The announcement followed the decision by Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the Indian Premier League, reportedly under instructions from the BCCI.
This development comes amid rising diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, exacerbated by the killing of a Hindu man in Dhaka in December. Khaled Mashud Pilot, the director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, confirmed that a request had been sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), asking for their scheduled match to be relocated from India to Sri Lanka. “If they [India] cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure the security of our entire team?” Pilot questioned.
The ICC has not yet responded to Bangladesh’s request. Rahman was earlier signed by Kolkata Knight Riders during the players’ auction on December 16, where he was the only Bangladeshi player to attract bidders among the pool of seven.
The decision to hire Rahman sparked a campaign from Hindutva groups, with Hindu nationalist factions and affiliated spiritual leaders criticizing actor Shah Rukh Khan, part-owner of the franchise, for his choice. Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya labeled Khan as a “traitor,” while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) referred to Bangladeshis as “enemies,” asserting that Khan did not grasp the national sentiment if he retained Rahman.
Rahman has participated in eight Indian Premier League seasons since 2016, having previously played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals. The upcoming season would have been his first with Kolkata Knight Riders.
The 2026 Twenty20 World Cup is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, following Pakistan’s refusal to play in India.
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