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ICC Mediates Bangladesh's T20 World Cup Boycott Over India Security Fears

The International Cricket Council is negotiating with the Bangladesh Cricket Board after Bangladesh refused to play its scheduled 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns. This follows the BCB's formal request to the ICC to relocate its matches to alternative venues. The tensions escalated after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad, referencing recent developments. Bangladesh is slated to play its group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai in February 2026.

Key Points: Bangladesh Refuses T20 World Cup Matches in India, ICC Steps In

  • Bangladesh cites security for T20 boycott
  • ICC seeks to resolve match relocation
  • BCCI ordered Mustafizur's IPL release
  • T20 World Cup schedule faces disruption
2 min read

ICC in talks with BCB over Bangladesh's refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India

ICC in talks with BCB after Bangladesh cites security concerns, refuses to play 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India amid diplomatic tensions.

"Due to the recent developments... BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman - Devajit Saikia"

New Delhi, January 6

The International Cricket Council is in talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to resolve Bangladesh's refusal to play its 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India, citing security concerns amid strained India-Bangladesh relations.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the ICC is likely to request that Bangladesh reconsider its decision to withdraw from the T20 World Cup matches in India and play their group matches as per the existing schedule.

This follows BCB's formal request to the ICC to relocate the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup matches from India to alternative venues, citing safety and security concerns.

This development follows the announcement by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) that they had removed Bangladeshi player Muztafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 roster in response to a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding atrocities committed against minorities in Bangladesh.

KKR's decision followed BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia's statement that the apex cricket board had instructed the IPL franchise to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman "due to the recent developments".

"Due to the recent developments which is going on all across, BCCI has instructed the franchise KKR to release one of their players, Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, from their squad, and BCCI has also said that if they ask for any replacement, BCCI is going to allow that replacement," Devaijit Saikia had told ANI on Saturday.

Mustafizur was selected by KKR for the IPL 2026 season in the mini auction last year. The three-time champions bagged the left-arm seamer for Rs 9.20 crore.

The 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka begins on February 7 and concludes on March 8, with Bangladesh scheduled to play their first three Group C games in Kolkata: February 7 (vs West Indies), February 9 (vs Italy), and February 14 (vs England) and their final group game against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in Kolkata, I was really looking forward to these matches. It's a shame for the local fans and the economy here. Hope the ICC can find a sensible solution quickly.
A
Arjun K
First Mustafizur is removed from KKR, now this. The tit-for-tat is getting out of hand. Both boards need to sit down and talk like mature administrators. Fans are the ones who lose out.
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Priyanka N
While I understand the tensions, India's security record for international events is impeccable. The ICC should stand firm. You can't have teams picking and choosing venues based on bilateral relations.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, the BCCI started this by forcing KKR to drop Mustafizur. That was a political decision injected into cricket. It's naive to think there wouldn't be consequences. We need to keep sports and diplomacy separate.
K
Karthik V
‍♂️ What a mess. Just let the players play! Bangladesh team has always received great support in India, especially in Kolkata. Their security will be top-notch, as it always is.

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