The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to send the national men’s team to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, taking a firm position amid rising security concerns linked to the controversy surrounding pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the Indian Premier League.
The decision follows Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Mustafizur on the instructions of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a move that triggered strong reactions in Bangladesh and heightened tensions between the two cricket boards.
While Bangladesh are not withdrawing from the tournament, the BCB has made it clear that it no longer wishes its players to feature in matches scheduled in India and has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift Bangladesh’s fixtures to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play four league matches, against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 in Kolkata, before facing Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.
The T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Mustafizur was released by KKR after being bought for Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL auction last month, following what the BCCI described as “recent developments”.
“The BCCI has asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. They can ask for replacement, if needed. And upon request, BCCI will allow a replacement player,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said.
Asked about the reason behind the decision, Saikia added: “Because of recent developments all across.”
Also read: India to tour Bangladesh for ODI, T20I series
KKR confirmed the development in a statement, saying, “Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL as the regulator of IPL has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.”
“The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India,” the franchise added.
The episode sparked political debate in India, with concerns raised over Rahman’s participation following the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh and India’s expression of concern over the safety of minorities there. The criticism also extended to KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, with members of the ruling BJP questioning the franchise’s decision to sign the Bangladeshi pacer.
Bangladesh are scheduled to open their T20 World Cup campaign on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by two more matches at the same venue before travelling to Mumbai for their final league fixture. The BCB is expected to issue an official statement clarifying its position.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh, earlier in the day, announced a 15-member squad for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, naming Litton Das as captain.
Pacer Taskin Ahmed returned to the squad after missing the recent Ireland series. Ahmed is expected to lead the pace attack alongside Mustafizur Rahman.
Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (Captain), Mohammed Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Md Shaifuddin, Shoriful Islam.
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