Bangladesh have decided not to travel to India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7, after their request to shift matches out of the country was rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The decision was announced on Thursday following a meeting involving Bangladesh national team players and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been given a 24-hour deadline by the ICC on Wednesday to confirm its participation in the tournament.

The board clarified that it is keen to take part in the global event but expressed its inability to do so in India amid prevailing political tensions between the two countries. The BCB said it would continue discussions with the ICC in the hope of finding an alternative solution to the impasse.

However, with the tournament drawing closer, Bangladesh’s withdrawal has placed the ICC in a difficult position. As things stand, Scotland are likely to be brought in as a replacement team if Bangladesh’s stance remains unchanged.

The ICC has not yet issued an official statement on Bangladesh’s decision, but preparations for the tournament are continuing as per the original schedule.

India began the five-match T20 International series on a commanding note, defeating New Zealand by 48 runs in the opening match in Nagpur on Wednesday, with Abhishek Sharma producing a breathtaking batting performance.

Abhishek continued his impressive run in the shortest format, smashing 84 off just 35 deliveries to lay the foundation for India’s imposing total of 238 for 7. His innings, marked by fearless strokeplay and clean hitting, once again underlined his growing importance in India’s T20 setup.

Rinku Singh provided the perfect finishing touch, remaining unbeaten on 44 from 20 balls, as India capitalised on a flat Jamtha surface to pile relentless pressure on the visitors. The pair ensured India ended their innings strongly after a few wickets in the middle overs.

India had earlier lost Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan cheaply, but Abhishek’s aggressive approach never allowed New Zealand’s bowlers to settle. His 99-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav, which came off just 47 balls, shifted the momentum decisively in India’s favour. Suryakumar contributed 32 off 22 balls, playing a supporting role as Abhishek dominated the scoring.

Abhishek’s innings featured eight towering sixes and five fours, with his bat speed and ability to hit straight down the ground proving too much for New Zealand’s pace attack. The lack of express pace in the bowling line-up allowed the left-hander to exploit scoring areas with ease.

New Zealand showed brief resistance in the chase through Glenn Phillips, who struck 78 off 40 balls, and Mark Chapman, who added 39 off 24 deliveries. Their 79-run stand raised hopes of a late push, but the steep required run rate eventually caught up with them.

India’s bowlers struck at crucial intervals to maintain control. Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 2 for 37, while Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya provided early breakthroughs that ensured New Zealand never fully recovered from the scoreboard pressure.

New Zealand were eventually restricted to 190 for 7, falling well short of the target as India sealed a comprehensive victory to go 1-0 up in the series.

India posted an imposing 238 for 7 against New Zealand in the first T20I of the five-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, riding on a blistering knock from Abhishek Sharma and a late surge led by Rinku Singh.

After being asked to bat first, India lost early wickets but quickly regained momentum through Abhishek, who smashed 84 off just 35 balls, striking five fours and eight sixes. The left-hander reached his half-century in only 22 balls, becoming the first batter in international cricket to register eight T20I fifties in 25 balls or fewer.

India were jolted early as Ishan Kishan (8) and Sanju Samson (10) departed inside the powerplay. Abhishek then steadied the innings alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav, with the duo adding 99 runs in 47 balls for the third wicket. Suryakumar contributed a fluent 32 off 22 balls before being dismissed attempting a lofted shot.

Following Abhishek’s dismissal in the 12th over, India continued to score at a healthy rate but lost wickets at regular intervals. Shivam Dube (9) and Axar Patel (5) fell cheaply, while Hardik Pandya played a useful cameo of 25 off 16 balls before being caught in the deep.

At the death, Rinku Singh took charge of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 44 off 20 deliveries, ensuring India crossed the 230-run mark. His late boundaries provided crucial momentum despite New Zealand’s disciplined bowling in the final over.

For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy was the most effective bowler, picking up two wickets, while the rest of the attack struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting on a surface offering spongy bounce.

With a run rate close to 12 an over, India have put New Zealand under significant pressure heading into the chase in the series opener.