• Source:JND

T20 World Cup: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh's 2026 Men's T20 World Cup matches from India, citing "safety and security concerns."

This decision follows the release of Bangladesh speedster Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad due to ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh.

The BCB also on Sunday decided against sending its national team to India for the T20 World Cup next month, citing security concerns and government advice.

Bangladesh summoned an emergency board meeting on Sunday afternoon, after having done one via Zoom on Saturday evening.

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"The Board reviewed the situation in detail, 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," said the BCB in a statement.

"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," it further added.

"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," said the BCB in its detailed statement on Sunday.

The team was set to play four matches in India, including games against West Indies, Italy, and England at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, and Nepal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

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"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. The Bangladesh Cricket Board looks forward to the ICC's understanding of the situation and an urgent response on this matter," added the BCB.

(With IANS Inputs)


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