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The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces a logistical crisis just weeks before the T20 World Cup 2026 opener, compelled to redraw the schedule after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to play group matches in India, requesting a shift to Sri Lanka over player safety fears.
The upheaval stems from escalating geopolitical strains between India and Bangladesh, ignited by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. Bangladesh’s interim government advisor for Youth and Sports, Asif Nazrul, lambasted the move as an “insult” to Bangladeshi cricket, declaring on Facebook: “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers, and the country. The days of slavery are over.” He instructed the BCB to petition the ICC, arguing that if a contracted player can’t compete in India, the national team cannot feel secure there.
Originally slotted in Group C with England, Italy, Nepal, and West Indies, Bangladesh’s fixtures were set for Kolkata’s Eden Gardens (vs West Indies on Feb 7, Italy on Feb 9, England on Feb 14) and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium (vs Nepal on Feb 17). The BCB’s formal request cites “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its players, with Litton Das captaining the finalized 15-member squad despite the venue being uncertain.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah now oversees the eleventh-hour revisions for the Feb 7-March 8 tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, a “monumental challenge” involving Sri Lankan venue scramble. BCCI officials insist Bangladesh must play as scheduled but have paused India’s tour of Bangladesh, underscoring frayed ties.
This saga, fueled by protests over Mustafizur’s Rs 9.20 crore KKR signing amid attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, risks broader diplomatic fallout in cricket. Fans on social media are divided, with some lauding BCCI’s stance and others decrying politicization.
