T20 World Cup 2026: Bangladesh Request Shift of Matches from India to Sri Lanka After Mustafizur Exit

The Bangladesh sports ministry has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move the team’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka. This decision comes after Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman was released by IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, Asif Nazrul, has directed the BCB to ask the ICC to shift the team's matches away from India due to "concerns about players' safety". Bangladesh are scheduled to play four matches in India, three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

"As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC," Nazrul wrote on his Facebook page.

Bangladesh Ask to Move T20 World Cup Matches from India Due to Safety Concerns

"The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup. I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead," he further wrote.

Meanwhile, a BCCI source said that moving the matches is almost impossible now because the World Cup is very close and there are major logistical challenges.

"You can't just change games at someone's whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets and hotels are booked. Also on all days, there are three games each, which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is a broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done," a BCCI source said as quoted by news agency PTI.

The 2024 IPL champions KKR released Mustafizur Rahman on Saturday, January 3, following instructions from the BCCI. Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed that the BCCI and IPL authorities asked the franchise to release Mustafizur from the squad ahead of the upcoming IPL season.

"The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control of Cricket in India," KKR said in a statement.

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by Dwijesh January 2, 2026