Bangladesh's batter and Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has reacted to the ongoing tensions between the BCB and the BCCI, saying that the standoff is affecting the team mentally. Shanto admitted that his team has never played good cricket in World Cups, adding that he and his teammates are doing their best to keep a calm demeanour, but it is tough.
Bangladesh Cricket Board came up with a stand to avoid travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, starting next month, citing security concerns and government advice, after IPL franchise KKR’s release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman at the BCCI's instruction. The big decision was taken amid the heavy public and political reactions over the rise in the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh.
"First of all, if you look at our World Cup results, we have never really played consistently good cricket. Last year, we did play well, but there were even better opportunities, and we could not capitalise on them," Shanto told the media.
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"I feel that players still try to keep those distractions aside and perform for the team. Of course, it would be better if these things did not happen, but this is beyond our control," Shanto added.
Shanto went on to slam the controversial remark made by the BCB director M Najmul Islam about the former Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal, describing it as disrespectful, unacceptable and harmful to the game. "Very sad, very sad because such comments were made about a cricketer, a former captain and in my opinion, one of Bangladesh’s most successful cricketers whom we grew up watching," Shanto said.
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"As players, we expect respect, whether someone is a former captain, a regular player, successful or not. At the end of the day, a cricketer hopes for respect," Shanto added. The BCB director faced widespread backlash after a remark labelling Tamim as an ‘Indian agent’ surfaced.
Meanwhile, following a discussion with the ICC, the BCB hinted that they might get ready to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India. The BCB said that the ICC has assured all possible assistance, saying they have told the board that their inputs will be taken, adding that both bodies will figure out a way to reach a feasible conclusion.
"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches," said BCB in a release.
"In its communication, the ICC reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and assured that the Board’s inputs would be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.