India wanted Bangladesh in T20 World Cup but Pakistan misled them: Rajeev Shukla

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Friday accused Pakistan of misleading and instigating Bangladesh after the latter refused to play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India unless shifted to Colombo, a demand the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected due to scheduling constraints.

Bangladesh were subsequently replaced by Scotland in the tournament after their government declined to send the team to India despite security assurances from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Speaking to ANI, Shukla said the BCCI had offered complete protection to the Bangladesh team and wanted them to participate in matches hosted in India.

“We wanted them to play. We assured them that complete security would be provided and that there would be no problems whatsoever. They would be given full protection. However, they decided that they wouldn’t play here, saying they couldn’t send their team,” Shukla said.

Bangladesh had earlier requested the ICC to change their venues from India to Sri Lanka following heightened tensions between the two countries and the release of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League.

However, the ICC declined the request, citing the short notice and the logistical difficulty of



altering the tournament schedule so close to the event. Bangladesh maintained their stance and were later replaced by Scotland.

“Their government said they couldn’t send the team, and that they would only play in Colombo. Changing the entire schedule at the last minute is a very difficult task, a very challenging job. That’s why this happened,” Shukla added.

Shukla alleged that Pakistan played a significant role in influencing Bangladesh’s decision and accused them of provoking the issue for its own advantage.

“Pakistan is giving them false encouragement; Pakistan is unnecessarily involved in this, misleading Bangladesh and instigating them. Pakistan is playing a major role in provoking them. Pakistan shouldn’t be doing all this,” he said.

He also referred to historical tensions between the two countries, accusing Pakistan of attempting to manipulate Bangladesh by portraying itself as a well-wisher.

“The world knows what atrocities Pakistan committed against the Bangladeshis. The Bangladeshis know how much injustice was done to them when the country was divided. Now, they are trying to manipulate them, trying to lead them down the wrong path by pretending to be their well-wishers, which is wrong,” Shukla said.