Bangladesh have refused to travel to India for their matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Bangladesh “will not travel to India” for the T20 World Cup
The Kolkata Knight Riders had signed up Mustafizur Rahman for INR 9.2 crore at the 2026 IPL auction. However, following instructions from the BCCI, the franchise released Mustafizur.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) board of directors held an emergency meeting in the aftermath of the event and issued a press release, “taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India.”
The release ran: “Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions.”
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026 squads: Who’s in, who’s out?
“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh's matches to a venue outside India.”
“The Board believes that such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders and to ensure that the team can participate in the tournament in a secure and appropriate environment.”
It is worth a mention that Sri Lanka are India’s co-hosts for the T20 World Cup. Pakistan are already playing their games in Sri Lanka (as they had for the 2025 Women’s World Cup and India had for the 2025 Champions Trophy).
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 league matches in India
February 7 v West Indies: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
February 9 v Italy: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
February 14 v England: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
February 17 v West Indies: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Since Bangladesh are not among the top two seeds in Group C, their schedule in the Super Eights are not confirmed at this point.
