Bangladesh Inquiry Finds T20 World Cup Absence Should Have Been Avoided

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

A government-appointed iquiry committee in Bangladesh has concluded that the country should have participated in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, despite the political and security concerns surrounding the tournament.

The three-member committee held the former interim government and then sports adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul primarily responsible for the decision that resulted in Bangladesh missing the tournament.

While presenting its 22-page report at the National Sports Council, committee member Barrister Faisal Dastagir said Bangladesh should have traveled to the tournament and competed as scheduled.

Political Tensions Influenced the Decision

According to the inquiry report, several factors contributed to Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the competition. Political tensions between India and Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council’s decision to keep Bangladesh’s matches in India, and government intervention were identified as having a “very high” impact.

The report described the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s handling of negotiations as having a “high” impact, while communication problems were given a “medium” impact rating.

The committee said it reviewed media reports and consulted individuals familiar with the issue during its investigation. It concluded that Bangladesh’s players and supporters were among those most affected by the decision not to participate.

Tamim Iqbal Criticizes Political Considerations

BCB President Tamim Iqbal, whose testimony was included in the inquiry report, questioned the influence of political considerations on Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.

Tamim said that political disagreements involving another country should not have affected the aspirations of Bangladeshi players and cricket supporters.

He also claimed that security concerns were used as part of the justification for Bangladesh’s position, while political considerations and tensions with India played a significant role.

According to Tamim’s testimony, government officials and the sports adviser initially supported Bangladesh’s participation before their position later changed.

He further stated that Bangladesh’s request to move its matches from India was opposed by 14 teams, while the Pakistan Cricket Board supported the proposed change.

ICC Rejected Bangladesh’s Venue Request

The dispute intensified after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad on January 3 following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board subsequently requested that the ICC move the country’s World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

The ICC rejected the request after reviewing security assessments. The governing body said it had not found a credible or verifiable threat to Bangladesh players, officials, media representatives, or supporters in India.

On January 21, the ICC Board confirmed that Bangladesh’s matches would remain in India, noting that changing the schedule at that stage was not feasible.

Bangladesh later declined to participate under the published schedule, and Scotland replaced the team on January 24.

Inquiry Committee Could Not Interview Some Key Figures

The inquiry committee interviewed 12 people during its investigation. However, it was unable to obtain statements from former sports adviser Asif Nazrul and former BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul.

The committee also did not contact the ICC as part of its investigation.

Following publication of the report, Nazrul said in a Facebook post that he had never denied being involved in the decision not to send Bangladesh to India.

He defended the decision by citing national dignity, the safety of players, journalists and supporters, as well as concerns about stability ahead of Bangladesh’s national election.

Nazrul also said that the interim government had made extensive efforts to have Bangladesh’s matches moved to another venue.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was played from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.