Bangladesh announced plans to demand that its T20 World Cup matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman left the Indian Premier League.
Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Adviser in Bangladesh’s interim government, declared that the country would not tolerate any insult to its cricket or cricketers.
Furthermore, Nazrul emphasised that the “days of slavery are over” and directed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC). He argued that if a Bangladeshi player cannot safely participate in India despite being contracted, then the entire team cannot feel secure playing World Cup fixtures there.
Meanwhile, the controversy erupted when Kolkata Knight Riders released Mustafizur Rahman after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advised the franchise to do so. Rahman, who was bought for over $1 million in December’s auction, has previously played for multiple IPL teams.
In addition, the T20 World Cup begins on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh is scheduled to play four group matches in India, while Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka under a neutral-venue arrangement.
Moreover, political tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated since the 2024 uprising in Dhaka that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. India recently criticised Bangladesh for its hostility against minorities, while interim leader Muhammad Yunus accused New Delhi of exaggerating violence.
Finally, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed that an emergency meeting would be held to decide the next steps. He stressed that the dignity and security of cricketers remain the board’s top priorities. Nazrul also requested that IPL broadcasts be blocked in Bangladesh.
