'We have no one. We are helpless': Bangladesh player's emotional reaction to government's T20 World Cup U-turn

Bangladesh’s Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul’s recent comment over the country’s withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has left the players and board triggered. Nazrul recently claimed during a press meet that the decision not to participate in the tournament in India was taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players themselves.

Nazrul said there was no regret and praised the cricketers for making a “sacrifice” in the interest of national security and dignity. “The decision was made by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the cricketers. They themselves made sacrifices for the safety of the country’s cricket, for the safety of the people of the country. The role they played in upholding Bangladesh’s dignity will always be held as exemplary,” Nazrul said on Tuesday.

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However, his remarks appeared to contradict his earlier statement, when he had clearly said that the decision not to play in India due to security concerns was taken by the government. That statement had come shortly after a meeting with players regarding World Cup participation. A few days later, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland in the tournament after failed talks between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and BCB.

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Bangladesh players and BCB officials counter Nazrul 

Nazrul’s latest comments have become difficult to digest for many players and board officials. Several Bangladesh cricketers and BCB officials, speaking anonymously to The Daily Star, expressed frustration and disbelief. “That was funny,” one player was quoted as saying when asked about the remarks.

“You heard what he said. What can we say? We have no one. We are helpless. We don’t know what to say since we had no hand in this. Many things don’t need to be verbalised to be understood. We didn’t get any help from any side,” another player told the local newspaper.

The players had reportedly been in favour of participating in the T20 World Cup. According to reports, they felt the decision had already been made at a higher level and that their meeting with officials was only a formality. Nazrul’s comments caused surprise inside the board as well. A BCB official said that it was never the board’s or the players’ decision to make.

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“He [Nazrul] had said something different before and is saying something else now. He himself had declared previously that the team will not go,” a BCB director said. “It was never the BCB’s or the players’ decision to make, so, there is no scope of shifting responsibility,” another BCB official claimed.

Another official pointed out that if the matter was discussed in a cabinet meeting, it could not logically be termed a board decision. Government officials had repeatedly highlighted security issues in meetings and emphasised not playing in India, the director added.

Later that night, Nazrul issued a clarification. He admitted that he had failed to explain the situation properly during the press conference. “Since the beginning of January, I have clearly stated that the decision not to play in the World Cup in India was the government’s, based on security risks. I fully stand by that statement,” he wrote.