NEW DELHI – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially addressed the escalating standoff with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Tensions have reached a breaking point following the BCCI’s directive to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi star Mustafizur Rahman, citing national sentiment and the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
While the BCB has demanded its matches be moved from India to co-host Sri Lanka, the BCCI has distanced itself from the scheduling dispute, maintaining that the final decision rests solely with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
1. The Mustafizur Rahman Flashpoint
The controversy began on January 3, 2026, when the BCCI instructed KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman, who had been signed for a record ₹9.20 crore.
- The Reasoning: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated the move was due to “recent developments all across,” referring to reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
- The Backlash: Bangladesh’s interim government reacted sharply, with Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul calling the move an “insult” and ordering a ban on IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh. He further argued that if one player isn’t welcome in India, the entire national team cannot feel safe playing there.
2. BCB’s Demand vs. ICC’s Verdict
Citing security concerns for its players, the BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate their Group C matches (scheduled for Kolkata and Mumbai) to Colombo.
- The ICC Response: In a virtual meeting on January 6, the ICC reportedly rejected the request. The global body stated that its independent security assessment found “no credible threat” to the Bangladeshi contingent in India.
- The Forfeiture Warning: Reports suggest the ICC has informed the BCB that they must travel to India for their scheduled fixtures or risk forfeiting points.
- BCCI’s Stance: “It’s not our domain to talk about that. The ICC has the final say on the matter,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI, emphasizing that the board will follow ICC protocols.
3. Bangladesh’s “High-Stakes” Schedule
The T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, 2026. Bangladesh is currently slated to play the majority of its group stage in Kolkata—a city with a massive Bengali-speaking population, now a hotbed of political tension.
| Match | Opponent | Venue | Date |
| Match 1 | West Indies | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Feb 7, 2026 |
| Match 2 | Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Feb 9, 2026 |
| Match 3 | England | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Feb 14, 2026 |
| Match 4 | Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Feb 17, 2026 |
4. Impact on KKR and IPL 2026
The removal of Mustafizur has forced KKR to look for an immediate replacement. While the franchise is expected to receive a full refund of the ₹9.20 crore auction price, the move has disrupted their bowling strategy just weeks before the season.
BCB Response: BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul has denied rumors that the BCCI offered to reinstate Mustafizur in exchange for the team traveling to India, calling such reports “completely false.”