Daijiworld Media Network - Dhaka

Dhaka, Jan 4: Bangladesh will not travel to India for the 2026 ICC Twenty20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, citing security concerns and prevailing diplomatic tensions, the country’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Sunday.

Announcing the decision on social media, Nazrul said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had taken the call in view of what he described as the “violent and communal policy” of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He added that the move was taken to safeguard players and officials.

The decision comes a day after Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season, reportedly following directions from the BCCI. The development occurred amid strained relations between the two countries following the killing of a Hindu man in Dhaka in December.

BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot said Bangladesh has formally written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting that its matches scheduled in India be shifted to Sri Lanka. “If security cannot be ensured for one of our players, how can we expect safety for the entire team?” he questioned.

The ICC is yet to respond to Bangladesh’s request.

Rahman, who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL players’ auction on December 16, later became the centre of controversy, with several right-wing groups opposing his inclusion. The fast bowler, who has previously represented multiple IPL franchises since 2016, was the only Bangladeshi player to be sold in the auction.

India is set to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, after Pakistan declined to play matches on Indian soil.