Following the rising anti-Bangladesh sentiment among the Indian public, BCB mocked the BCCI over the controversial insult of Mustafizur Rahman. They have escalated the matter and questioned India’s ability to provide security to the entire contingent when they could not protect the participation of just one player.
Bangladesh Cricket Board and BCCI are now embroiled in a heated battle with Mustafizur Rahman over ego and behaviour. The veteran Bangladeshi fast bowler and a veteran of 60 IPL matches was released from his contract by Kolkata Knight Riders despite being bought in the mini-auction.
The BCCI did not publicly provide any reason for the move, nor did they attribute the humiliation to the ongoing unrest between the two countries, but they did confirm that it was motivated by the current situation around them. Following Rahman’s expulsion, the BCB had to call an emergency meeting of its directors to discuss its cooperation with the BCCI.
BCB directors decide not to travel to India in emergency meeting
Despite political tension between the two countries, Bangladesh never objected to playing in India. The BCB had also proposed a schedule for India’s tour of Bangladesh, which was postponed last year to 2025. However, after the departure of Mustafizur, the situation has taken a big turn.
The emergency meeting considered the developments of the last 2 days and expressed deep concern over the circumstances, as well as doubts over the security standards of the Bangladesh team for the matches to be played in India.
“After a thorough assessment of the current situation and growing concerns regarding the safety of the Bangladeshi contingent in India, and considering the advice of the Government of Bangladesh, the Board of Directors has decided that the Bangladesh national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current circumstances,” the BCB said in a statement.
BCB makes fun of BCCI for ignoring Mustafizur Rahman
After the meeting, BCB director Khalid Mashud Pilot apparently took a dig at the security arrangements in India and appeared concerned about the team’s security. After this, BCB made reference to Mustafizur Rahman and mocked BCCI for not ensuring the safety of just one player.
He said, “If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players (Mustafizur reference), how will they ensure the security of our entire team? So we will not go there to play.”
Bangladesh were to play all their matches in Kolkata before the final group-stage game at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
BCB has requested ICC to change the venue, claiming security threats in India
After the meeting concluded that Bangladesh would not travel to India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, they wrote to the ICC seeking alternative arrangements like Pakistan where all their matches could be shifted to venues in the co-host country, Sri Lanka.
“In light of this decision, BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all Bangladesh matches to a venue outside India (co-hosts Sri Lanka),” the statement further read.
BCB believes that this step is necessary for the safety of Bangladesh players and all other Bangladeshi citizens associated with the event. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board looks forward to understanding the ICC’s position and immediate response on this matter,” the BCB concluded in a statement.
Also read: Rohit Sharma gives open threat after being harassed by young fan
