ICC Rejects Bangladesh Security Claims for T20 World Cup in India Amid Mustafizur Rahman IPL Exit
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed claims by Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul regarding security concerns for the T20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh has expressed hesitation to tour India due to safety issues, following the IPL release of star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman amid rising political tensions in Bangladesh.
According to ICC sources, Nazrul’s statements about the Council recognizing Dhaka’s security concerns are false. “There has been internal communication from ICC to BCB regarding security in India. But what Asif Nazrul said is a complete lie. ICC’s communication never mentions Mustafizur’s selection as an issue. It’s a complete falsehood,” a source told PTI.
What Did Asif Nazrul Say?
During a press conference in Dhaka, Nazrul claimed that the ICC’s security team had flagged three potential threats to the Bangladesh team:
Inclusion of Mustafizur Rahman in the squad.
Fans wearing Bangladesh jerseys in India.
Increased security risks as Bangladesh’s elections approach.
However, the ICC clarified that while it communicated with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on general security, it did not recognize or validate these concerns.
T20 World Cup Schedule and Context
The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is set to take place from February 7 to March 8, with matches across India and co-host Sri Lanka. Bangladesh is scheduled to play its first three group matches in Kolkata and the final one in Mumbai.
Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit from Kolkata Knight Riders, reportedly linked to recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, has intensified tensions. Following the development, the Bangladesh government banned IPL broadcasts in the country.
Former captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto have urged restraint, cautioning that rigid decisions could have long-term consequences and impact players’ mental health. Despite this, Nazrul remains firm, insisting Bangladesh will pursue its demand to shift matches to Sri Lanka.
With the tournament approaching, the situation continues to attract global attention as fans and cricket authorities await a resolution.
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