India and Bangladesh are once again at the centre of a cricket and political row. This time, it involves the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League. Bangladesh has asked that their matches at next month’s T20 World Cup not be played in India. Instead, they want the games moved to Sri Lanka. The request came after Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from his IPL team following advice from the BCCI.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reacted sharply to the development. He took to social media and criticised India’s role in the situation. "Hardly surprising. We have brought this embarrassment upon ourselves," Shashi Tharoor wrote on X.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting on Sunday. After the meeting, the board said it had “formally requested” the ICC to shift their World Cup matches out of India." The Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions," the BCB said in a statement.
The board explained that the decision was taken because of “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its players. It also said the move was based on advice from the Bangladeshi government. The issue escalated after Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders.
The IPL franchise was “advised” by the BCCI to do so amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul reacted strongly. He said the country would not tolerate any disrespect. "will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances." "The days of slavery are over,". "Where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India despite being contracted, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup," he wrote.
The T20 World Cup begins on February 7 and is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh were scheduled to play all four of their group matches in India. Pakistan, meanwhile, will play their matches in Sri Lanka as part of a neutral-venue agreement.
Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul said that “the dignity and security of our cricketers are our top priorities”.
Mustafizur had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for over $1 million at the IPL auction in December. But BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that “considering recent developments” the franchise had been “advised to release” him. "I have requested the Information and Broadcasting Adviser to stop the broadcasting of the IPL tournament in Bangladesh," he said.Kolkata Knight Riders later said Mustafizur’s “release has been carried out following due process and consultations”.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time. Political relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained since a mass uprising in 2024 removed Sheikh Hasina from power. Bangladesh will also hold elections on February 12.
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