Bangladesh Opt Out of India Travel For T20 World Cup Amid Safety Concerns

Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup has been plunged into doubt after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided not to send its national team to India, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of its players amid strained political relations between the two countries.

Bangladesh were scheduled to play their World Cup group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, including their opening fixture against West Indies at Eden Gardens on February 7. Those plans now face disruption, with the BCB formally asking the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches outside India.

“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 BCB said in a statement.

“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh's matches to a venue outside India.”

Political Backdrop and the Mustafizur Flashpoint

Although the BCB did not reference specific incidents, the decision follows a series of developments that have heightened unease within Bangladesh cricketing circles. 

Chief among them was the recent instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that led to Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad.

That episode drew sharp reaction in Bangladesh and intensified concerns over how Bangladeshi players would be treated during a major ICC event hosted in India. Reports in Bangladeshi media suggest the issue became a turning point during internal deliberations at the BCB.

Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul publicly endorsed the decision.

“The BCB has decided not to send the Bangladesh team to India for the World Cup. We welcome this decision taken in the context of the radical communal policies of the Indian cricket board,” Nazrul wrote on his official Facebook page.

ICC Faces a Logistical and Diplomatic Test

It is understood that the BCB reached its decision after extensive discussions, weighing sporting commitments against what officials believe is an increasingly uncertain security environment. Concerns extend beyond match venues to travel logistics, accommodation, and the overall safety framework required for a global tournament.

The ICC now faces a complex challenge, as relocating one team’s fixtures would require coordination with the host board, broadcasters, and other participating nations, while also raising questions about precedent should political tensions affect future events.

Neither the ICC nor the BCCI has issued a public response so far.

For Bangladesh’s players, the situation creates fresh uncertainty at a crucial stage of their World Cup preparation.