Bangladesh’s caretaker government has ordered the Bangladesh Cricket Board to shift the T20 World Cup matches from India. The development was confirmed by Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul, who made a statement on social media on Saturday, January 3. Nazrul said the caretaker government has asked the BCB to meet the ICC and look for Sri Lanka as an alternative venue for Bangladesh’s matches in the tournament.
The issue was also discussed at an emergency meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday, sources told India Today. The move comes in the wake of the Indian Cricket Board ordering Kolkata Knight Riders to terminate the contract of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The decision drew widespread criticism on social media, with the BCCI and KKR facing backlash over their handling of the situation involving the Bangladeshi player amid reports of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
On Saturday morning, the BCCI asked the Kolkata-based franchise to release Mustafizur, who was signed for Rs 9.20 crore. In return, KKR were allowed to name a replacement player.
Sources said the BCB is now considering approaching the ICC to request Bangladesh’s matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing concerns about the safety and security of its players.
“The ICC is organizing the World Cup; India is the host. If we have to contact anyone, we have to talk to the ICC,” BCB president Aminul Islam said, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Media committee chairman Amzad Hossain, who was present alongside the BCB president, said the final decision would rest with the ICC.
“The ICC will decide which venue is suitable. The safety of our players is our first priority. The players are our responsibility, so we will do everything to ensure that,” he said.
Former Bangladeshi cricketers and board officials also criticized the BCCI and the IPL, accusing them of treating Mustafizur unfairly. Former BCB director Khaled Mahmud described the incident as deeply disappointing, noting that Bangladeshi fans traditionally rally behind IPL franchises that feature players from their country.
“It is a really sad incident. I don’t know the exact reasons, though political factors have been mentioned. It seems to be related to some forces or politics based on religion,” Mahmud told reporters on Saturday.
“But it’s very sad, especially for Mustafizur and for all of us because we were looking forward to KKR playing Mustafizur, just like it was with Shakib,” he added.
“When Shakib played, we all became KKR supporters. When Mustafizur played, we all also supported KKR. It is really disappointing for us and we are very embarrassed about it,” Mahmud said.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 3, 2026
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