BCCI BCB controversy: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is considering approaching the ICC for a change in the venue of Bangladesh’s matches during the T20 World Cup 2026. Amid these reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reacted to speculations about Bangladesh’s alleged plans to write to the ICC.
Following the instructions of BCCI, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. They bought him for Rs 9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. The issue between BCCI and BCB escalated after the decision to release the fast bowler before the tournament.
Mustafizur Rahman released from IPL: KKR took a big step amid increasing tension between India and Bangladesh.
Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman after the Board of Control for Cricket in India asked the franchise to drop him from the team. Recent violent incidents and increasing political instability in Bangladesh have increased tensions between the two countries.
After Rahman’s release, Bangladesh Cricket Board held an emergency meeting. The board was also directed by the Sports Ministry to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches away from India.
The BCCI did not openly link the decision to politics but said the move was based on the overall situation. It is noteworthy that relations between the two countries had deteriorated after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India following anti-government protests.
BCB requests ICC: After the release of Mustafizur Rahman, BCB asks ICC to seek intervention
After an emergency meeting, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul decided not to speak on the issue. However, government advisor Asif Nazrul directed the board to approach the ICC and request to shift Bangladesh’s four T20 World Cup league matches from India to Sri Lanka.
“As the advisor in charge of the Sports Ministry, I have directed the Board of Control for Cricket to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.
“The Board should make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being under contract, the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe traveling to India to play the World Cup.
He further wrote, “I have also instructed the Board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka.”
India-Bangladesh cricket relations: BCCI responds to Bangladesh’s request to shift T20 World Cup matches from India
BCCI reacted to the suggestion of moving Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches out of India. Officials said changing the venue would create major logistical problems and disrupt carefully planned events.
The BCCI said teams’ travel, accommodation, broadcast arrangements and match-day operations are already closed. Moving games at short notice is unrealistic, especially when there are multiple matches scheduled each day in different countries.
News agency PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying, “You can’t change a game according to someone’s whims and wishes. It’s a nightmare. Think about the opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked.”
The source further added, “Also, there are three games each on all days, which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is a broadcast crew there. So this may be easier said than done.”
Also read: Bangladesh cricketers to be banned from IPL and Indian-owned leagues
