'We won't make any compromise' - Bangladesh stubborn on not playing T20 World Cup in India

Bangladesh’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul has reinforced the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB)'s stance on requesting the International Cricket Council to relocate all of their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing serious security concerns. Nazrul said the BCB would continue engaging with the ICC to convey the seriousness of the issue, which he believes is important for players' safety as well as national dignity. 

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Nazrul referred to a recent communication from the ICC following a call with the board on Tuesday.

"Today, after reading the letter from the ICC, we understand that the ICC doesn't fully realize the scale of the security issue regarding Bangladeshi cricketers in India. I believe it's not only a matter of security but also that of national humiliation. We are looking at it as a security issue, where the BCCI itself is telling the Kolkata [Knight Riders] team that this player can't be given security, [so] leave him out from your team. This in itself is a tacit recognition that it isn't very safe to play in India." Nazrul was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their first three group-stage matches of the T20 World Cup in Kolkata, with their final group match set for Mumbai. The issue escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for IPL 2026, amid worsening diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In response, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL within the country, while the BCB formally informed the ICC that the national team would not play its World Cup matches in India. The ICC held discussions with the BCB on Tuesday, after which the board released a statement denying reports of having received an ultimatum from the governing body and confirmed that necessary engagement would continue. However, Nazrul later reiterated Bangladesh’s position.

"We don't want to say anything about the bigger picture, the communal situation in India. But when it comes to our cricketers' safety, Bangladesh's safety, and Bangladesh's dignity, we won't make any compromise. We want to play cricket, we want to play the World Cup - but we want to play in Sri Lanka, which is the other host country," he said.

We are honouring our position on this because we hope we are able to convince the ICC, and that the ICC considers our logic with an open heart, and neutrally, to let us deservingly play in the World Cup. Whatever happens next, we'll take a stand accordingly. For now, we have taken this stand very clearly that we'll convince the ICC that the atmosphere isn't [right] for us to play in India," he added.

BCB will follow government's directive: Aminul Islam

BCB President Aminul Islam also reiterated the emotions, saying that the situation is much more than cricket and players' safety.

“It is not possible for the cricket board to ask for the security of each and every person from Bangladesh who goes to the World Cup, and this includes the team, as well as fans and journalists. That's why we're taking the government's directive because you know that every foreign trip requires a government order,” Aminul told.

He further added that the ICC has allowed for India and Pakistan to not play at each other's land, since the geopolitical tensions between the arch-rivals have been on the rise. With a similar situation taking place between the co-hosts and Bangladesh, Aminul believes that it will be fair for the organizers to shift their matches to the island nation.

“We came here [to meet with Nazrul] to know the position of that order. We understand that if the safety and security doesn't improve, we'll fight for our rights to go for the World Cup. We will try to convince the ICC. Such events related to security have taken place in the past as well," Aminul added.

"You know the main reason for a hybrid World Cup is security. So we hope to establish our reasons. When the Champions Trophy happened, India didn't go to Pakistan. Even Pakistan didn't go to India to play the World Cup. So we hope we'll get the right answer," he concluded.

What will happen if Bangladesh don't travel to India?

If Bangladesh opt against travelling to India for the T20 World Cup, and the ICC declines their relocation request, the Litton Das-led side could effectively be eliminated from the tournament without even participating, as all of their group matches are currently scheduled to be played on the Indian soil.