“We Will Not Play in India”: Bangladesh Signals Possible Exit from 2026 T20 World Cup Amid ICC Standoff

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Delhi: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent shockwaves through the global cricketing community by indicating that Bangladesh may pull out of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup if its fixtures are scheduled to be held in India. The strong message follows an internal BCB meeting held on January 22, where senior officials discussed growing concerns over fairness, governance, and unresolved disputes linked to the Mustafizur Rahman IPL controversy.

According to media reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already cautioned Bangladesh about the consequences of such a decision. During recent discussions with BCB directors, the ICC reportedly made it clear that a withdrawal would result in Scotland stepping in as a replacement team for the tournament, which is set to commence on February 7, 2026.

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul did not mince words while addressing the issue. He stated that Bangladesh is eager to compete in the World Cup but is unwilling to play matches hosted in India under the current circumstances. Emphasizing that the Mustafizur Rahman episode was only one part of a broader pattern, Bulbul alleged that key decisions were taken unilaterally, without adequate consultation or respect for Bangladesh’s position.

The BCB had formally proposed that its World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, one of the co-hosting nations. However, the ICC declined this request, a move that has further deepened frustration within Bangladesh’s cricket administration. Bulbul described the rejection as damaging not just for Bangladesh, but for the credibility and inclusiveness of international cricket as a whole.

He also raised concerns about the future reach of the sport, arguing that sidelining countries and their fan bases risks shrinking cricket’s global appeal at a time when the game is preparing to enter the Olympic stage. According to him, excluding or marginalizing nations undermines the ICC’s responsibility to promote cricket worldwide.

At the heart of the dispute lies the Mustafizur Rahman IPL issue, where the Bangladeshi fast bowler’s situation became entangled with diplomatic and administrative tensions. What began as a player-management controversy has now escalated into a broader conflict involving national boards, tournament hosting rights, and international politics.

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