Bangladesh Won't Travel to India for T20 World Cup, Seeks Relocation
Bangladesh Won't Travel to India for T20 World Cup, Seeks Relocation
Bangladesh opts out of the India-hosted T20 World Cup, urging ICC to relocate matches due to safety concerns amid rising tensions.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced on Sunday that the national team will not travel to India for next month’s Men’s T20 World Cup, citing safety and security concerns. Following an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors and advice from the Bangladesh government, the BCB formally requested the International Cricket Council to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India to safeguard players, officials, and stakeholders, and to ensure participation in a secure environment.
With fewer than five weeks before the tournament opener, the decision adds a new twist to the co-hosted event set to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The BCB stated that it would participate only if conditions permit, and requested the ICC, as the event authority, to explore relocation options. The ICC is expected to respond in the coming days, after weighing security and logistical considerations.
The move unfolds against a broader political backdrop, including developments related to the IPL 2026 season. Kolkata Knight Riders were directed by the BCCI to part ways with Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, a development that has amplified discussions about security and political tensions affecting cricket. The BCB emphasized that safety remains the top priority for its players and staff and that the decision was made with that obligation in mind.
Bangladesh officials in Dhaka noted that government guidance and risk assessments shaped the decision, and the board will await ICC’s ruling on whether to relocate matches to Sri Lanka or another venue. Whatever the ICC decides could affect travel plans for fans and broadcasters and alter the overall schedule of the World Cup.
