In a dramatic turn of events, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is reportedly considering a significant move concerning its participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This potential action follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) instruction to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract.
According to reports, the BCB is poised to formally request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches for the 2026 T20 World Cup away from India. This unprecedented move is a direct response to the BCCI's intervention, which has sparked outrage and security concerns in Bangladesh.
The flashpoint was the BCCI's directive to KKR, owned by Shah Rukh Khan, to drop Mustafizur Rahman, for whom they had paid a reported 92 million rupees ($1.1 million) at auction. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia cited "the unrest that has developed across that country" as the reason, alluding to reported communal violence in Bangladesh. KKR complied, stating they acted "upon the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India".
The BCB, while refraining from commenting on what it called an "internal matter" of the IPL, has swiftly shifted its focus to the upcoming ICC event. A top BCB official stated that with bilateral tensions "mounting with each passing day," the board has "apprehension over the safety of its players in India". The official confirmed that the BCB will urgently request venue changes for Bangladesh's scheduled World Cup matches in Kolkata (vs. West Indies, Italy, England) and Mumbai (vs. Nepal).
The situation has escalated beyond a franchise-level decision, transforming into a political and security debate with World Cup implications. Mustafizur Rahman, a key player for Bangladesh and a proven IPL performer, was effectively shut out of the IPL season before it began. The BCB's silence on the matter has further fueled speculation and frustration.
Amid the controversy, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul emphasized the cricketing links with India, stating that the board believes in viewing the issue from a cricket perspective and not politics. He acknowledged the good cooperative relationship in cricket between the two countries.
The potential ramifications of this move extend beyond the World Cup. A scheduled Indian team tour to Bangladesh for ODIs and T20s has already been postponed indefinitely, with officials admitting there is "no hope for it to go ahead" given the current climate.
The BCB official pointed to the ongoing standoff with Pakistan, who refused to play in India after India declined to travel for the 2025 Champions Trophy, as a precedent for ICC intervention in politically charged disputes. The ICC now faces a complex challenge in keeping cricket separate from escalating political discord.
Mustafizur Rahman has had a noteworthy IPL career, having played for multiple teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings. He even won the Emerging Player Award in 2016 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
As the BCB prepares to lodge its complaint with the ICC, the future of Bangladesh's participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India hangs in the balance.
