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Bangladesh stars comment on T20 World Cup venue drama as BCB-ICC stand-off persists

Soumyajit Dutta

Bangladesh stars speak on T20 World Cup 2026 venue row [Source: @sumir_pathak/X]Bangladesh stars speak on T20 World Cup 2026 venue row [Source: @sumir_pathak/X]

The ongoing debate between Bangladesh and India over the venue for the T20 World Cup 2026 has taken another turn, with Bangladesh all-rounder Mahedi Hasan and cricketer Najmul Hossain Shanto sharing their candid views on the issue.

Mahedi Hasan, who is part of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, offered an honest take on the brewing venue-change controversy while speaking to a Bangladesh media house The Daily Star.

Mahedi Hasan opines on T20 World Cup 2026 venue drama

Mahedi Hasan was clear and direct with his remarks and, notably, did not oppose playing in India. In fact, Mahedi gave a positive assessment that appeared to criticise the Bangladesh Cricket Board for creating unrest over safety concerns related to travelling to India.

"Uncertainty is a management issue - something for the officials to deal with. The players' job is simply to play. Even if you send players to Mars, they will go and play. I don't think any player has any doubts about that," Mahedi Hasan said.

Najmul Shanto not-so-optimistic for India

Meanwhile, former Bangladesh T20 World Cup standout Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is not part of the current squad, also weighed in on the matter but expressed a contrasting and less optimistic view.

"You'll notice that before every World Cup, something or other happens with us. As a player who has played in a few World Cups, I can tell you that such things have an effect. We put on an act that nothing affects us, that we are highly professional cricketers. But even you all know that we are acting. It's not easy,” Shanto said.

Shanto maintained that the situation is completely beyond the players’ control and stressed that only the officials can resolve the issue at this stage.

"In my view, players still try to figure out how to put these things aside and perform for the team. But it would be better if these issues didn't exist. At the same time, I'd say this situation is beyond our [players'] control," Shanto added.

Bangladesh firm on stance of not sending players to India

The situation has deteriorated following Mustafizur Rahman’s exit from KKR and IPL 2026, which has strained relations between the two nations.

Bangladesh has expressed concerns about the safety of sending its team to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, while India recently issued assurances that the team’s security will be fully protected and closely monitored.

The BCB has sent a second formal request to the ICC seeking a venue change, with a response from the global body expected within the next 24 hours.