Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul has changed his stance on the T20 World Cup boycott. He now states that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players decided to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 after the ICC rejected a request to move the tournament from India. Nazrul noted that the players made this decision for the country’s sake.
On February 10, Asif shared with reporters:
“There is no question of regret. This decision was taken by the BCB and the players, as they made sacrifices for the safety of the country’s cricket and to protect national dignity.”
Previously, the Bangladeshi government instructed the BCB to request the ICC to relocate matches away from India. Tensions escalated when the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, prompting the government to order the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to stop airing the IPL.
Nazrul’s Earlier Remarks
Earlier, Nazrul expressed that while players were eager to participate in the T20 World Cup 2026, the ultimate decision lay with the government.
On January 22, he mentioned:
“The purpose of the meeting was to explain to the players why the government made this decision. I believe they understood. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision.”
Nazrul Praises BCB’s Decision
However, after discussions between the ICC and PCB at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 10, it was confirmed that there would be no penalties for the BCB. Additionally, Bangladesh is set to host an ICC tournament. Nazrul referred to this as “a brilliant achievement” for the board.
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He added:
“The ICC has stated there will be no sanctions, and Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an International tournament. This is a brilliant achievement. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board.”
In summary, the situation surrounding Bangladesh’s stance on the T20 World Cup 2026 highlights how sports can intersect with politics. Asif Nazrul’s earlier call for the government’s decision regarding the boycott was later matched with the BCB and players’ involvement in the decision. The scenario intensified with the IPL situation and Mustafizur Rahman’s release. Nonetheless, the February 10 meeting between the ICC and PCB turned out beneficial, as there were no sanctions imposed. Ultimately, Bangladesh cricket concludes the matter positively.
