Bangladesh have announced their squad for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup amid the controversy surrounding Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from IPL 2026. Litton Das will lead the side as captain, with Saif Hassan named as his deputy. Former captain Najmul Hossain Shanto missed out despite scoring a century for Rajshahi Warriors against Sylhet Titans in BPL 2026 last December.
Mustafizur was at the center of the controversy after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL seasonbased on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directive. Signed by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore in a mini-auction, his dismissal brought clarity to the uncertainty surrounding his league future.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the board has formally asked the franchise to part ways with the pacer while assuring them of the possibility of a replacement. Reacting to his dismissal, Mustafizur said the decision was beyond his control.
The situation escalated off the field when Bangladesh’s caretaker government ordered the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to request a change of venue for the team’s World Cup matches. Sports advisor Asif Nazrul said the BCB would formally approach the ICC and suggest Sri Lanka as an alternative host, warning that the IPL broadcast in Bangladesh could be suspended.
Mustafizur Rahman is among the five pacers in the team, alongside Mohammad Saifuddin, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. It happened on Friday the fastest fast bowler to reach 400 wickets in T20 cricketthus reaching the milestone in his 315th game.
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They are placed in Group C alongside Italy, Nepal, England and the West Indies.
Bangladesh T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Litton Das (Captain), Saif Hassan (Vice-Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain Patwary, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman and Ahmad, Tazimif Hasan, Mohamed S. Shoriful Islam.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
January 4, 2026
