DHAKA: Bangladesh has formally requested that its matches in next month’s T20 World Cup be relocated to Sri Lanka, citing player safety concerns after rising India-Bangladesh political tensions. The move follows the controversial exit of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders after guidance from the BCCI.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have worsened since a 2024 mass uprising in Dhaka that removed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a long-time ally of New Delhi. After an emergency meeting, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced it had asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all Bangladesh matches away from India due to security risks.
BCB officials said the decision was taken following advice from the Bangladesh government, stressing that the “dignity and security of Bangladeshi cricketers” remains the top priority. Interim Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh would not tolerate disrespect toward its players and warned that unsafe conditions made participation in India unacceptable.
The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on February 7, with Bangladesh originally scheduled to play four group matches in India. Meanwhile, Pakistan will compete entirely in Sri Lanka under a neutral-venue arrangement.
