Bangladesh refuse to travel to India for T20 World Cup, ask ICC to relocate matches

Bangladesh have said they will not travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup under current conditions.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formally asked the ICC to move all of their matches to another venue.

Rising political and security tensions between India and Bangladesh have triggered safety concerns.

Players, officials, tournament organisers, and fans could be impacted as the World Cup schedule faces disruption.

Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup beginning on 7 February has been thrown into uncertainty after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced that the team will not travel to India unless conditions change. The board has now formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches, citing player safety.

Why Bangladesh made the call

The BCB decision followed an emergency meeting, held amid escalating diplomatic and public tensions between India and Bangladesh. In a statement, the board said the move was necessary to protect players, officials, and stakeholders and ensure participation in a “secure and appropriate environment”.

The statement underlined that player welfare is the top priority, especially given the current climate between the two neighbouring countries.

IPL release adds to tensions

The situation intensified after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released early from the Indian Premier League at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

That decision triggered concern within the BCB and contributed to fears that tensions could spill into the World Cup environment.

Cricket administrators in Dhaka privately acknowledged that the IPL development was seen as a warning sign.

World Cup schedule under threat

Bangladesh are scheduled to play all four group-stage matches in India, including:

The opening match against West Indies

A high-profile clash with England in Kolkata on 14 February

If the ICC agrees to Bangladesh’s request, it would force a major rescheduling of fixtures, venues, and logistics.

The tournament is already under strain. Pakistan’s matches have been shifted to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the event, because of ongoing India-Pakistan tensions.