'Can't protect one player': BCB brutally mocks BCCI over Mustafizur Rahman IPL row

BCB mocked BCCI over the controversial snub of Mustafizur Rahman, following the escalating anti-Bangladesh sentiment among the Indian masses. They have escalated things and questioned India's ability to provide security to an entire contingent when they could not safeguard the participation of just one player.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the BCCI have now engaged in a fierce battle fueled by ego and the conduct with Mustafizur Rahman. The veteran Bangladeshi pacer and 60 IPL matches veteran was snubbed from a contract despite being bought in the mini-auction by the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The BCCI did not cite any reasons publicly for the step, nor did they blame the ongoing unrest between the two nations for the snub, but they confirmed being triggered by the current situation around them. Rahman's ouster led the BCB to call for an emergency meeting of its directors in order to discuss their cooperation with the BCCI.

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BCB directors decide against travelling to India in the Emergency meeting

Bangladesh had never objected to playing in India despite the political tensions between the two nations. The BCB had even proposed a schedule for the India tour to Bangladesh, which was postponed last year, 2025. However, following Mustafizur's removal, the situation has taken a major turn.

The emergency meeting considered the developments over the last 2 days and expressed deep concern about the circumstances, and also doubted the security standards for the Bangladesh team for the matches scheduled to be played in India.

"Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions," said the BCB in a statement.

BCB mocks BCCI over Mustafizur Rahman snub

After the meeting, the BCB director, Khaled Mashud Pilot, had clearly taken a dig at the security arrangements in India and seemed concerned about the team's safety. The BCB then mocked the BCCI for not being able to ensure the safety of just one player, bringing in the reference to Mustafizur Rahman.

"If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players (Mustafizur reference), how will they ensure the security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play," he said.

Bangladesh were scheduled to play all their matches in Kolkata before a final group-stage game in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

BCB requests ICC to shift the venues, claiming security threats in India

After the meeting concluded that Bangladesh would not travel to India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, they wrote to the ICC demanding a Pakistan-like alternative arrangement, where all their matches could be shifted to the venues in the co-hosting nation, Sri Lanka.

"In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC), as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh's matches to a venue outside India (co-host Sri Lanka)," read the statement further.

The BCB believes that this step is necessary to safeguard the safety of the Bangladesh players and all other Bangladesh citizens who would be associated with the events. "The Bangladesh Cricket Board looks forward to the ICC's understanding of the situation and an urgent response on this matter," BCB concluded in a statement.

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