Bangladesh cricketers powerless as 'undemocratic' meeting upholds India boycott: 'It was a direct order'

The big meeting between Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul and the national cricketers on Thursday was expected to bring an end to the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 crisis, with players eager to participate in the tournament. Instead, the gathering turned out to be a unilateral affair, convened merely to deliver the government’s verdict. There was nothing democratic about the meeting.

Bangladesh have stayed firm on their demand not to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, despite the International Cricket Council (ICC) warning that the team could be replaced in the tournament if they boycott their scheduled games in Kolkata and Mumbai. Citing security concerns, Bangladesh want their matches moved to Sri Lanka and on Thursday once again shifted the responsibility of a final decision to the ICC, saying they hope the global body “will deliver justice.”

Bangladesh players overruled as government stays firm on India boycott

However, according to reports emerging from Dhaka, the players had arrived at the InterContinental Hotel with renewed hope that a discussion would be held and perhaps the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would reconsider its demands. But they were left disappointed when the meeting with sports advisor Asif Nazrul and BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul began as cricketers realised that they were called not to discuss things, but to inform the government’s diktat, Cricbuzz reported.

This only meant one thing: players’ dreams of playing in the T20 World Cup were over.

“The meeting was called not to give our consent as it was made out to be initially. Rather, we were called so that we are aware of the development in the ongoing crisis. They made up their mind and decided what they will do before coming into the meeting, and it’s not like any decision was taken taking our views into consideration,” a cricketer, who attended the meeting, told Cricbuzz.

More from First Cricket

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I live streaming details: Raipur weather forecast, SVNS Stadium pitch report, date, time and where to watch 'Padosiyo ke pass ruke the': Pakistan take jibe at India's no-handshake policy in latest promo for Australia series

Government officials and the BCB did not even pretend to act democratically. Players’ views were not asked for, forget considering them for even a minute. The meeting was only about delivering a pre-decided verdict, without hesitation: Bangladesh will not play in India, even if that means missing the T20 World Cup.

“They didn’t ask. They made the plan directly and said it’s not happening. Earlier, they would sit with us and hear us out. But now, they’ve already said we’re not going,” the cricketer added. “The thing is, Bangladesh’s government call was already made and nothing else but that’s the real story. It was a direct order from the government - it’s not happening.”

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Litton Das fails in changing Bangladesh’s decision

The report added that Bangladesh captain Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto tried to impress upon officials during the meeting that the players want to take part in the T20 World Cup. However, the government and the BCB countered by arguing that there was a security threat to players, journalists and fans.

It was also pointed out that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not tried to improve things by giving any reassurances. “Bangladesh is supposed to go, but now if they act like this, how can a country send a team?” the source said.

Following the meeting, Nazrul came out and declared in the media that Bangladesh have been at the receiving end of injustice, and they hope ICC would soon make the course correction.

“There is no scope to change our decision. We are not giving up yet. Our team is ready, and we still hope that the ICC will deliver justice. We want the ICC to take our genuine security risk into consideration and allow us to play in Sri Lanka,” Nazrul said after meeting with the players.

With the decision taken out of their hands and the ICC remaining firm on its stance, the cricketers can only hope from the sidelines that a change of heart occurs, though it appears unlikely. Scotland now seem destined to replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup.