ISLAMABAD: The Bangladesh Cricket Board is contemplating a formal requestto the International Cricket Council to relocate its group stage matchesfrom India to Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, following thecontroversial release of pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata KnightRiders ahead of the Indian Premier League season. Reports indicateheightened concerns over player security amid strained bilateral relations.
The decision stems directly from the Board of Control for Cricket inIndia’s directive to KKR to drop Mustafizur, who was acquired for a recordRs 9.2 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikiacited ongoing unrest as the reason, prompting widespread debate on theintersection of sport and politics.
Bangladesh is placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy, andNepal. As per the official schedule, the Tigers are set to play threematches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against West Indies on February 7, Italyon February 9, and England on February 14, with the fourth fixture againstNepal scheduled for February 17 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
A BCB official, speaking anonymously, emphasised that while the Mustafizurrelease is an internal IPL matter, the broader implications for the WorldCup cannot be ignored. The board prioritises player safety and will seekassurances from the ICC, potentially advocating for all matches to beshifted to Sri Lankan venues similar to arrangements for Pakistan.
The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, commences onFebruary 7 and concludes with the final at Narendra Modi Stadium inAhmedabad on March 8. Twenty teams will compete across eight venues, withPakistan’s matches exclusively in Sri Lanka due to existing neutral venueagreements.
Mustafizur Rahman, aged 30, has been a standout performer in the IPL sincehis debut in 2016 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he claimed the EmergingPlayer award. His exclusion marks him as the only Bangladeshi playeraffected, raising questions about future participation of Bangladeshicricketers in Indian leagues.
Former Bangladeshi players have expressed disappointment, describing thedevelopment as an insult to national cricket. One ex-cricketer noted thatif security concerns prevent Mustafizur from playing in the IPL, similarrisks could apply to the national team’s World Cup fixtures in India.
The BCCI has clarified that the IPL decision does not extend to the WorldCup, with a senior official stating Bangladesh will play as scheduled.However, the BCB remains vigilant, consulting relevant departments toassess potential threats and ensure comprehensive security measures.
Reports suggest the unrest referenced by the BCCI relates to reportedincidents affecting minorities in Bangladesh, which have fuelled public andpolitical criticism in India regarding engagements with Bangladeshientities, including sports.
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The ICC, as the governing body, holds final authority over venueallocations and security protocols for its flagship events. Analystspredict that any relocation request would require substantialjustification, potentially impacting ticket sales and logisticalarrangements already in progress.
This episode underscores escalating tensions in cricketing ties between thetwo neighbours, with a planned Indian tour to Bangladesh for white-ballseries also facing uncertainty despite its inclusion in the BCB’s 2026calendar.
As preparations intensify for the global tournament, stakeholders await theICC’s response to any formal petition from the BCB, which could setprecedents for handling security concerns in multi-nation events.
Source:https://www.republicworld.com/cricket/bangladesh-cricket-board-plans-to-petition-icc-for-t20-world-cup-venue-reconsideration-after-kkr-release-mustafizur-rahman-from-ipl-squad
Tags: Bangladesh Cricket Board, Mustafizur Rahman, T20 World Cup 2026,BCCI, ICC, Kolkata Knight Riders, India, Sri Lanka
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