Bangladesh writes to ICC, seeks to move T20 World Cup matches out of India

Bangladesh will not travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed. The decision comes amid controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

The BCB cited security concerns as the reason for the team’s decision not to travel to India for the multinational tournament. In an email sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the BCB stated, "Due to security concerns, it is not possible to send the team to India for the T20 World Cup."

Although there were initially plans to raise three issues with the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ultimately submitted only one formal demand. On Sunday afternoon, 17 BCB directors met and reached a fresh decision regarding the T20 World Cup, resolving that Bangladesh will not play any of its World Cup matches on Indian soil.

The BCB formally requested the ICC to shift



Bangladesh’s matches out of India, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of its cricketers.

"Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions," read the BCB statement.

"In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India.

"The Board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment," the statement added.