After KKR released Mustafizur Rahman amid political tensions, Bangladesh Cricket Board urges the ICC to move its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns, while also threatening to ban the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh.
After Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ahead of the IPL 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now geared up to urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka.
On Saturday, the Kolkata Knight Riders were forced to release Mustafizur Rahman, despite signing him for INR 9.2 crore at the IPL 2026 Auction, after backlash and public outrage in India over his participation in the tournament amid heightened political tensions between India and Bangladesh, amid the targeted attacks on minority communities, especially Hindus, in the neighbouring nation.
The backlash and criticism from Indian political leaders, media outlets, and fans forced the three-time IPL champions to comply with directives by the BCCI and release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
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Bangladesh has been witnessing targeted attacks on the minority communities, particularly Hindus, following the death of a leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, sparking widespread communal tensions and prompting calls for international attention to the safety of the minorities and raising serious concerns in Dhaka about the security of Bangladesh players and fans ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
BCB to Urge Change of Venue for Bangladesh’s T20 WC Matches
As the Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman as per the BCCI’s directive ahead of the IPL 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board will reportedly request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to change the team’s upcoming T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, as both nations are co-hosts of the marquee event, which will take place on February 7.
In a statement on Facebook, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul wrote that the BCB has taken the decision of not sending the team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, while criticising the violent policy of the BCCI.
“Bangladesh will not go to India to play World Cup. Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today." Asif Nazrul wrote on Facebook
We welcome this decision taken in the context of the violent communal policy of the Cricket Board of India." he added.
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Bangladesh have been clubbed in Group C alongside West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal. Bangladesh will play all their group stage matches in India, with three games will be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata and one will take place at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Will ICC Relocate Bangladesh’s T20 WC Matches?
The BCB will reportedly implore the ICC, as per the direction by the Bangladesh sports advisor by Asif Nazrul, to shift their group stage matches from India to Sri Lanka, but the question is whether the world governing body of cricket will pay heed to Bangladesh’s concerns and approve a venue change a month before the tournament, when the fixtures were already finalised and officially announced.
According to the report by Press Trust of India (PTI), the source close to BCCI stated that shifting Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka would be a ‘logistical nightmare’, adding that the schedule cannot be kept changing at one’s whim and fancy.
“You can't just change games at someone's whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked,” the BCCI source told PTI.
“Also, on all days, there are three games each, which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is a broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done," he added.
With Bangladesh set to play their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against two-time champions West Indies on February 9 at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata as per the schedule, a last-minute change would be extremely difficult due to travel, scheduling, and broadcasting logistics.
Bangladesh to Ban Telecast of IPL Matches
As a response to releasing Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, the Bangladesh sports ministry has threatened not to telecast the upcoming season of the IPL matches. In a statement on Facebook, sports advisor Asif Nazrul has directed the country’s information and broadcasting not to telecast the IPL matches. He also earlier directed the BCB to write a letter to the ICC to shift Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka.
“I have asked the information and broadcasting officer to ensure that Bangladesh’s IPL matches are also not broadcast!” Nazrul wrote.
"Under no circumstances will we accept the humiliation of Bangladesh cricket, its players, or the country itself,” he added.
The controversy between Mustafizur Rahman and the Indian Premier League has snowballed into a broader diplomatic and cricketing dispute, with BCB now pushing for relocation of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka due to players’ safety concerns and political tensions.
