“No compromise on security or dignity,” says Bangladesh sports adviser on T20 World Cup venues

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The Bangladesh government remains firm on its demand to have Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 rescheduled to Sri Lanka, citing security and dignity concerns. Sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that Dhaka will continue to press the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate the team’s match venues, insisting the global body has failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Tensions between the two neighbouring nations have escalated in recent months. The situation intensified after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In response, the Bangladesh government ordered the suspension of broadcasts of all matches from the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

“We sat together with the BCB directors—Aminul Islam, Faruque bhai and everyone else. Today we discussed the situation and we all agreed that Bangladesh earned qualification for the T20 World Cup through hard work. We are a cricket-crazy nation, and we definitely want to play,” Nazrul was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.

“But we do not want to play the World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or at the cost of the country’s dignity. After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, it felt to us that they have not fully understood the serious security situation that has developed in India for Bangladeshi cricketers,” he added.

Following Rahman’s release, which triggered security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wrote to the ICC requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka are co-hosting the tournament, which is scheduled to begin in February.

“To me, it does not feel like only a security issue—it feels like an issue of national humiliation as well. Still, we are primarily treating it as a security issue. When the Indian cricket board itself is telling the Kolkata team that they cannot provide security to this player and asking them to drop him from the team, that alone shows there is no environment in India where it is safe to play,” Nazrul said.

“We do not want to go into the wider communal situation in India. But when it comes to the security of our cricketers, the security of Bangladesh, and the honour and dignity of Bangladesh, there will be no compromise. We want to play cricket, we want to play the World Cup, and since there is another host country—Sri Lanka—we want to play there. We are firm on this position.”

Earlier, the BCB issued a statement clarifying that the ICC has assured Bangladesh of its continued and unhindered participation in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, rejecting reports that suggested the board was issued an ultimatum to play matches in India or risk forfeiting points.

According to the BCB, the ICC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh’s participation and expressed its willingness to work closely with the board on security-related matters.

“Why are we firm on this position? We hope we will be able to explain that to the ICC, and we hope the ICC will consider our arguments impartially and allow us to play in the T20 World Cup that we have earned through hard work,” Nazrul said.

“Our first step is to convince the ICC. We have strong arguments, and we will present them. On the question of Bangladesh’s security, honour and dignity, there will be no compromise. But we definitely want to play the Cricket World Cup.”