![Bangladesh players in action [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768284375460_bangladesht20worldcup(1).jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh players in action [Source: AFP]
In a development that could raise a million eyebrows, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul has openly refused to send the men's cricket team to India for the T20 World Cup 2026. In fact, Nazrul has claimed that the environment in India has made it 'impossible' for Bangladesh to play cricket there, while also accepting Pakistan as a feasible alternative venue for the upcoming T20 World Cup edition.
Bangladesh official calls India's political environment unhealthy
On Monday, January 12, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul, speaking at an event, reckoned that India's current political environment isn't ideal for the Tigers to tour the country for the T20 World Cup 2026. He accused India of spreading communal dissonance, citing how the BCCI sidelined fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL following the barbaric mob-lynching of a Bangladeshi Hindu citizen over religious remarks.
Nazrul believes the cricketers from his country will have severe safety concerns if the government allows them to travel to India for the T20 World Cup amid the latter's alleged anti-Bangladesh stance. He also accused the ICC of biased decision-making for not allowing Bangladesh to choose an alternative venue for its players.
“We believe that given the extreme communal situation prevailing in India and the anti-Bangladesh environment, especially the anti-Bangladesh campaign that has been ongoing in India for the past 16 months, it is impossible for Bangladesh to play cricket in India," Nazrul was quoted as saying by India Today.
“The Mustafizur incident and the letter I mentioned have unequivocally proven this. If the ICC is truly a global organisation and if the ICC does not simply follow India’s dictates, then they should definitely give us the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. We will not accept any compromise on this issue,” he added.
Nazrul accepts Pakistan over India as a safer T20 World Cup 2026 venue for Bangladesh
Amid Bangladesh's strained geopolitical relations with India, Pakistan reportedly offered a proposal to host the former's T20 World Cup fixtures. With Bangladesh willing to play anywhere apart from India, its sports advisor Asif Nazrul happily accepted the offer, stating he has no hesitation in sending the players to Pakistan, which he believes will be a safer country for Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2026 contingent.
“They are proposing two venues, both in India. India means India. We are talking about India. We mentioned Kolkata; changing it to Sri Lanka is not a problem. I don’t know if it’s true that Pakistan wants to host our matches. Host it in Pakistan, no problem; host it in the UAE, no problem. When the BCCI in India, bowing to extremist communal forces, says that a player from our team should not be allowed to play there, what greater proof do we need?", he added.
Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2026 schedule and fixtures
Talking about the original schedule released by the ICC, Bangladesh is placed in group C and will play its league-stage matches against the West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal. The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host the first three matches, while the Tigers will face Nepal in their final group-stage match at the Wankhede Stadium.
