Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India is now uncertain after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is taking the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), citing security concerns for their players.
The decision to release Rahman came amid calls for him to be banned from the IPL following reported attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. According to reports, KKR, owned by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, acted on direct instructions from the BCCI. The franchise confirmed Rahman's release, stating it followed "due process and consultations" with the BCCI.
BCB officials held an emergency virtual meeting, chaired by president Aminul Islam, and agreed to immediately inform the ICC of their concerns regarding the safety and security of Bangladeshi players in India. A senior BCB official stated that the board may request a change of venues, potentially seeking to play their matches in Sri Lanka, subject to ICC approval. The BCB is also planning to separately write to the IPL governing body and the BCCI, seeking a written explanation for Rahman's release.
"If security cannot be provided to one player in India, how will the safety of the entire team be ensured during the World Cup?" sources quoted officials as saying during the meeting. Bangladesh's sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, has publicly called for the country's T20 World Cup matches to be moved out of India and has asked the BCB to explain the entire matter to the ICC. He has also requested that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stop telecasting the IPL in Bangladesh. Nazrul condemned the BCCI for "surrendering to radical communal groups" and stated, "We will not accept the humiliation of Bangladesh, Bangladeshi cricket, or Bangladeshi cricketers".
Former cricketers and board officials in Bangladesh have criticized the BCCI and the IPL, accusing them of unfair treatment of Mustafizur. Former BCB director Khaled Mahmud described the incident as "deeply disappointing".
Bangladesh are placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup 2026 and are scheduled to begin their campaign against West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. They are also set to face Italy and England at the same venue on February 9 and 14, respectively, before concluding their group-stage matches against Nepal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 17.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said that the decision to release Mustafizur was made "due to the unrest that has developed across that country". He also assured that if the franchise asks for any replacement, they will be allowed one.
The controversy has also affected planned bilateral engagements between India and Bangladesh. While the BCB had announced a six-match white ball series with India in Bangladesh next September, the BCCI is reportedly unwilling to tour Bangladesh at this stage and is awaiting government approval.
The ICC has yet to comment on the situation. A senior BCB official stated, "Participation in the World Cup is an ICC matter, and the final decision will be taken by the ICC after considering all aspects". The official added, "We will be putting the ball in ICC's court," confirming that the board will urgently request a change of venue for Bangladesh's scheduled World Cup matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, "if we feel security is a concern as players' safety is our priority".
