BCCI rejects Bangladesh's bid to shift T20 World Cup matches: "Logistical nightmare"
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has delivered a blunt reality check to Bangladesh’s attempt to shift its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, stating that such a move is “next to impossible” with just a month left before the tournament. The demand came after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) following BCCI instructions amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations.
Bangladesh seeks to shift World Cup matches over safety concerns
Following Mustafizur’s release from IPL 2026, Bangladesh government advisor Asif Nazrul said he has instructed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to ask the Jay Shah-led ICC to shift Bangladesh’s four league games—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai—to Sri Lanka, citing “concerns about players’ safety.”
“As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC,” Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.
“The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup. I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead,” he added.
Bangladesh’s four league games are scheduled against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), England (February 14) in Kolkata, followed by their last game against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.
BCCI: “Logistical nightmare” to shift matches
However, a BCCI source insisted that shifting the matches is “next to impossible” with just a month left before the tournament, calling it a “logistical nightmare.”
“You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked. Also on all days there are three games each, which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done,” the BCCI source said.
India’s arch-rival Pakistan is already playing its World Cup games in Sri Lanka as per an understanding worked out months ago due to political tensions between the two nations.
Background: Mustafizur’s IPL release
The Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladesh left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was bought for Rs 9.20 crore after a bidding war at last month’s auctions in Abu Dhabi, following the BCCI’s diktat.
Although the BCCI did not explicitly cite the current political situation for its decision, it did say the move was triggered by “what’s been happening all around”—a clear reference to the deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August 2025 after anti-government protests.
Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a tribunal for her alleged role in a deadly crackdown during the agitation in which several students were killed. Since her ouster, Hindus have been targeted for violent attacks in Bangladesh.
BCB president refrains from public comment
BCB president and former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam Bulbul refrained from making any public comment after an emergency board meeting following the development, leaving it to government advisor Asif Nazrul to make the demand for shifting matches.
The unfolding situation has added another layer of complexity to the T20 World Cup, with just weeks remaining before the tournament begins on February 7.