Bangladesh will skip their Twenty20 World Cup matches in India following the release of Mustafizur Rahman by his Indian Premier League team amid rising tensions between the two countries, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders announced on Saturday that they had released the Bangladesh bowler after receiving instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Bangladesh had been scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata during the February 7–March 8 tournament, which is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“Bangladesh will not travel to India for the World Cup. This decision has been taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board today,” Nazrul said.
Kolkata Knight Riders said on Saturday they had released the Bangladesh bowler after being told to do so by India’s board (BCCI).
Last month, hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a crowd.
A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with his death.
The incident worsened relations between India and its neighbour, with ties already strained after Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to New Delhi following protests against her.
After Mustafizur’s release on Saturday, ESPNCricinfo reported the BCB had held an emergency meeting and were planning to write to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches and raise concerns about player safety.
“We have three matches of the T20 World Cup in Kolkata, so we will write to the ICC regarding what has happened today,” BCB media committee chairman Amzad Hussain told ESPNcricinfo.
Last year, the ICC allowed India to play Champions Trophy matches in the United Arab Emirates due to soured relations with hosts Pakistan.
On Sunday, cricket news site Cricbuzz reported that the BCB would ask the BCCI for a formal explanation regarding Mustafizur’s release.
The ICC and BCB did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Bangladesh are due to play West Indies, England and Italy in Kolkata before ending the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai.
BCB announces World Cup squad
Fast bowlers Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will lead Bangladesh’s bowling attack at next month’s Twenty20 World Cup, while batter Jaker Ali was axed as the country’s cricket board (BCB) named their 15-man squad for the tournament on Sunday.
Taskin, who has taken 106 wickets in 86 T20Is, returns to the team after missing their 2-1 series win over Ireland in December while he was competing in the Abu Dhabi T10 league.
Mustafizur and Taskin will spearhead a pace department which also includes Tanzim Hasan, Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin, with Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan the spinners in the squad.
Litton Das will captain the team and will be tasked with putting runs on the board alongside Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan.
Jaker misses out after a poor 2025 in which he managed just 378 runs in 26 T20Is.
Bangladesh squad:
Litton Das (captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shoriful Islam
Source: The News
