Bangladesh refuses India travel for T20 World Cup
Decision comes after Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit as Bangladesh cites security risks for players amid rising tensions with India
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh’s interim government has formally decided not to send its national cricket team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing “genuine security risks” amid a volatile political environment, a decision triggered by recent developments in Indian domestic cricket rather than broader diplomatic disputes.
The announcement was made Thursday by Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, a day after the International Cricket Council pressed Bangladesh to confirm its participation under the original tournament schedule.
Nazrul said the government’s decision was final and rooted in safety considerations. “Bangladesh is not travelling to India to play the World Cup due to the security risk — this is a decision made by the Bangladesh government,” he told reporters, stressing that no external body had the authority to override it.
The immediate trigger for the withdrawal was the abrupt removal of Bangladesh’s star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League, following instructions issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Bangladeshi officials say the decision was taken amid rising political tensions and sustained pressure from Hindutva groups in India, raising serious concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi players and officials.
While the Bangladesh Cricket Board had attempted to engage with tournament organizers to explore alternatives, the government intervened after concluding that the IPL episode reflected a broader and unpredictable security environment for Bangladeshi athletes in India.
Addressing potential financial penalties and sporting fallout, Nazrul said national dignity and human safety could not be compromised. “You should also consider what the damage would be if we played the World Cup,” he said. “Pushing our players, fans, and journalists into a genuine risk amid this political situation is also a form of damage.”
On Wednesday, the ICC approved a contingency plan to replace Bangladesh with another team should it refuse to travel. However, Dhaka has not withdrawn from the tournament altogether and continues to push for a venue shift to Sri Lanka, citing past precedents where international matches were relocated due to security concerns.
The standoff comes against a backdrop of gradually deteriorating relations between Bangladesh and India since mid-2024, following political upheaval in Dhaka and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina taking shelter in India.
While officials insist the World Cup decision is not directly linked to those events, analysts say recent sporting flashpoints have amplified mistrust between the two sides.
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