Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul has openly questioned whether the International Cricket Council (ICC) fully understands the gravity of the situation regarding the national team’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup matches to be held in India.
Speaking to the media after a meeting with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul and Vice-President Faruque Ahmed on Wednesday, Asif Nazrul said that the response received from the ICC did not reflect the seriousness of the security concerns raised by Bangladesh.
BCB formally requested the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches
The issue escalated when Kolkata Knight Riders released fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the next IPL season following advice from the BCCI. Shortly after, the BCB formally requested the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka.
“After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, we felt that they have not fully grasped the serious security situation that exists in India for Bangladeshi cricketers,” Asif Nazrul said. “I don’t think this is just a security issue. It also seems to be an issue of national humiliation. Nevertheless, we are primarily viewing it as a security issue.”
Asif Nazrul said that after discussions with the BCB leadership, there was a consensus that Bangladesh’s qualification for the World Cup was the result of hard work and deserved respect. “We are a cricket-crazy nation, and we certainly want to play. We don’t want to play the T20 World Cup at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators, and journalists, or at the cost of the country’s dignity.”
Also Read: Mustafizur Rahman Eviction Controversy: Bangladesh might pull out from T20 World Cup 2026
