The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent a second formal communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC), outlining specific security concerns related to travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, according to media reports.

The renewed correspondence comes amid growing internal differences within the BCB over whether Bangladesh should participate in the tournament in India or push for a venue change to Sri Lanka. The global event is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

According to a source close to the board, the latest letter was sent after discussions between the BCB and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul. The ICC had sought clarity on the nature of Bangladesh’s security apprehensions, prompting the board to detail its concerns in the second communication.

However, the contents of the letter have not been made public.

Board divided over travel to India

Media reports indicate that the Bangladesh Cricket Board itself remains split on the issue. One section of the board supports Asif Nazrul’s firm position against travelling to India, while another group prefers continued dialogue with the ICC and Indian authorities.

The latter faction is said to be advocating for enhanced and foolproof security arrangements for the Bangladesh team throughout its stay in India, rather than an outright refusal to participate.

Nazrul, who has previously expressed strong views against India, is believed to have taken a tougher stance than the board’s traditionally cooperative approach with Indian cricket authorities.

Government backs demand for venue change

Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has meanwhile confirmed that the national team will not travel to India for the World Cup, citing safety concerns. He said the government supports the sports adviser’s demand that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament.

“We will certainly play outside India,” Hossain was quoted as saying, adding that the safety of players and supporters travelling to India must be taken into account.

The standoff follows the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL earlier, after Indian cricket authorities cited unspecified “developments all around.” That decision reportedly came in the backdrop of incidents involving attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

ICC yet to decide on venue shift

As of now, the ICC has not indicated whether it will move Bangladesh’s matches from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo. However, the BCB has maintained that the global body has shown willingness to engage with the board to assess the security concerns raised.

With the tournament approaching, uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be held in India.

In an unprecedented decision, the Government of Bangladesh has ordered an immediate ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) across the country, following a controversy involving national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and his exclusion from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad.

The move comes amid strong resentment in Bangladesh over a directive linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which led to Mustafizur Rahman being released from KKR ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The pacer, regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most prominent cricketers, was expected to play a key role for the franchise.

Government cites public sentiment and lack of justification

In an official statement, the Bangladesh government said it had taken note of the decision concerning Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL squad and expressed disappointment over the absence of a clear explanation.

The statement said the decision had “pained, saddened, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” adding that no rational reason for the move was known. Under these circumstances, authorities directed broadcasters to stop the telecast of all IPL matches and related programmes until further notice.

The order, the statement added, was issued with approval from the competent authority and in the public interest.

Possible impact on T20 World Cup participation

The dispute has also widened beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup be shifted out of India.

According to the communication sent on January 4, 2026, Bangladesh has conveyed that it would not send its national team to India for the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7. The board has asked for its fixtures, originally planned in Mumbai and Kolkata, to be relocated to Sri Lanka, citing concerns over player security and trust.

The developments have raised the prospect of prolonged strain in cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, with potential implications for future bilateral engagements.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to send its national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government advice. This follows the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instruction.

Although the BCCI did not explicitly link the move to current Indo-Bangladesh relations, it stated that the decision was triggered by “what’s been happening all around.” Rahman’s sudden release prompted the BCB to hold an emergency meeting on Saturday night. After reviewing the situation again on Sunday, the Board decided the team will not travel to India for the tournament starting February 7.

BCB cites security risks for entire team

“The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in an official statement.

BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot elaborated on the security concerns, stating, “If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play.”

Request to ICC to shift matches

Bangladesh has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of its T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, the co-host of the tournament. “Such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders,” the statement read.

Government advisor Asif Nazrul also supported the move, highlighting the ongoing “violent communal policy” and instructed the board to explain the situation to the ICC. He further suggested that if Bangladeshi players cannot feel safe in India, the national team’s participation is not feasible.

Broadcast concerns and IPL response

Nazrul added that he has requested Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry to consider suspending IPL broadcasts in the country. The KKR franchise, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, had released Mustafizur, who was bought for Rs 9.20 crore, following the BCCI’s directive.

Tensions have risen in bilateral relations following the ouster of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last year amid anti-government protests and was later sentenced in absentia for her alleged role in a crackdown on students.