Mustafizur Rahman row: 'Position remains unchanged' on India travel for T20 World Cup, Bangladesh tells ICC; reiterates 'security concerns'

NEW DELHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday "reaffirmed its position" to not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 during a meeting with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

A video conference between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) was held this afternoon, the BCB said in a media release.




During the meeting, the BCB "reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns", the release said. The BCB also repeated its request to the ICC to consider moving Bangladesh’s matches outside India.

However, as reported earlier by TOI, the ICC has rejected claims that security concerns could prevent the Bangladesh team from travelling to India for the tournament.

The ICC said the tournament schedule has already been announced and asked the BCB to reconsider its stand. The BCB’s position, however, "remains unchanged", the Bangladesh board said. Both sides agreed to continue discussions to look for possible solutions, according to the BCB release.

"The BCB remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff while engaging constructively with the ICC to address the matter," the statement said.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. As per the existing schedule, Bangladesh are set to start their campaign on the same day against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will then play Italy on February 9 at the same venue, followed by a match against England, the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, also in Kolkata. Bangladesh will finish their group-stage matches against Nepal on February 17.

The BCB’s concerns followed the release of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

According to the current schedule, Bangladesh are to play their first three group matches in Kolkata and their final group match in Mumbai.

After Mustafizur was released from the KKR squad, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto have warned against taking a rigid position on the issue. Tamim said decisions taken now could have an impact 10 years later. Shanto has spoken about the mental pressure on players at the possibility of missing a World Cup. Nazrul, however, has maintained that Bangladesh will not move away from its demand.


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