Bangladesh T20 World Cup participation Highlights: Bangladesh make final decision of not playing in India

The T20 World Cup 2026 is starting on February 7 in Colombo with the final scheduled for March 8 in Ahmedabad.

India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and the UAE are the 20 teams that qualified but now Bangladesh’s participation looks unlikely.

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has also said that Bangladesh’s decision is an incorrect one.

Madan Lal says there is no security issue in India

While Bangladesh’s men’s team participation in the T20 World Cup is in doubt now, the women’s team is taking big strides towards confirming qualification in this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh defeated Namibia today to qualify for the Super Six stage of the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. Now they need to finish in top four to secure a spot for the World Cup which will take place in England.

The meeting has not helped in changing the decision of Bangladesh regarding the T20 World Cup. They are not travelling to India.

“We all wanted to play in the World Cup. We have noticed that the security threat in India has not gone. The ICC has not taking a stance on the actual matter. The ICC has reiterated their standard security procedure. We are still hopeful that ICC will find a way,” Asif Nazrul, the sports advisor has said after the meeting.

Bangladesh are in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Italy and Nepal. As per the schedule, Bangladesh play their matches as follows:

Feb 7: Bangladesh vs West Indies in Kolkata

Feb 9: Bangladesh vs Italy in Kolkata

Feb 14: Bangladesh vs England in Kolkata

Feb 17: Bangladesh vs Nepal in Mumbai

Litton Das, who was to lead Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup, said on Wednesday that the players were not consulted before the board decided on not travelling to India for the tournament.

“I don’t know, no one has spoken to me,” Das had said when asked if anyone from the board had talked to him regarding the situation.

Mahedi Hasan has said that they have no idea what the meeting is about and the mystery will soon be revealed by sports advisor Asif Nazrul.

“No, there were no such talks. Every player in the World Cup team was personally texted about the meeting. When we get there, the mystery will be revealed,” Mahedi said before the meeting.

“As a player, who would not want to play the World Cup? But the decision belongs to the board, and the government also has a say in the matter. They are our guardians, and as players, I feel we should do what they say,” he added.

“I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time,” Aminul said while talking about a failed attempt at ICC. “They said it’s a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them. I don’t want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the ICC about the government’s feedback.”

“The Bangladesh players want to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh government wants Bangladesh to play the World Cup. But we don’t think India is safe for our players. A government doesn’t only consider the players, but they consider all, when it takes a decision.”

BCB chief Aminul Islam said that he will have another round of talks with the Bangladesh government, but hinted that they may not be allowed to travel to India.

“I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time,” Aminul said. “They said it’s a valid point, and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them. I don’t want to put pressure on the government. We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the ICC about the government’s feedback.”

Bangladesh’s request to join Group B and play their matches outside India was blocked at the ICC Board meeting after Sri Lanka said they do not want a ‘new team’ in their group.

T20 World Cup Groups:

Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE