BCB drags Jay Shah into India-Bangladesh cricket war, raises security fears at T20 World Cup 2026

India-Bangladesh cricket war: After Mustafizur Rahman's exclusion from the Kolkata Knight Riders camp for IPL 2026, the BCB has decided to write a formal notice to the ICC to urge the BCCI for clarity on the security arrangements for their players, fans, media, and sponsors during the ICC T20 World Cup.

India and Bangladesh have been under a major conflict of interest over several aspects, which include geopolitical borders, religious tolerance, and the recent atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh. But nobody had expected that this could affect the relationship between the two cricket boards.

The BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia, not only issued a directive for the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR squad but also denied any certainty of the tour to Bangladesh, for which the BCB had already announced a schedule.

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T20 World Cup 2026 security: BCB to question India's security arrangements for ICC T20 World Cup

Humiliation after humiliation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has now erupted with rage and is seeking clarity on the security arrangement of the BCCI for their players, the fans who will visit the nation, the media personnel, and lastly, their sponsors as well, according to a report in Cricbuzz.

BCB has informed its intent to write to the ICC seeking a detailed update on the security arrangements in India ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This decision was taken by the board after the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the KKR camp due to the rising dominance of the anti-Bangladesh campaign.

Under such circumstances, BCB is bound to be concerned about the safety of its men. This decision was taken by the BCB directors in Sylhet. Rahman's snub led to widespread reaction throughout the country, and hence the BCB, like PCB, has started reconsidering playing their group matches in India.

"We are sending a letter to the ICC putting three clauses into it. Firstly, we would like to know from them about Mustafizur (exclusion from IPL) and secondly, what is the security plan for us in the World Cup? More so because not only will players travel to India, but along with them media, fans and sponsors will also travel there to see the World Cup. Those who will go there, what will be their security status?" a top BCB official told Cricbuzz.

Mustafizur Rahman IPL snub: BCB to seek clarity on Mustafizur Rahman's unreasonable removal from the KKR squad

From the BCB's statement, it seems evident that they are not only seeking clarity on the security arrangements but are also looking forward to seeking an explanation on the sudden snub of Mustafizur Rahman after he was included in the KKR camp in the mini-auction.

"We are also sending an email to BCCI to know the exact picture of why Mustafizur was excluded," the official added.

Mustafizur was in no way making a debut in the IPL, as he has been playing there since 2016. He has played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and the Delhi Capitals in the past, before the Kolkata Knight Riders showed massive interest in having the 30-year-old Bangladeshi superstar.

Bangladesh World Cup schedule 2026

Bangladesh, like all other teams, will travel ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to India, as they are scheduled to play their first match on the 7th of February. Placed in Group C alongside the West Indies, England, Nepal, and World Cup debutants Italy, Bangladesh have a strong chance of making it to the next stage.

The opening game will be played against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a city that has been filled with outrage over the atrocities against Hindus. They will then advance to face Italy on the 9th at the same venue, followed by a third game against England on the 14th in Kolkata.

Their only game outside Kolkata is against Nepal, which is their last group stage game scheduled to be played on the 17th of February in Mumbai.

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