Tensions are rising in Bangladeshi cricket after the board’s dramatic pullout from the 2026 T20 World Cup, drawing sharp rebukes from within. Syed Ashraful Haq, ex-BCB secretary and Asian Cricket Council veteran, foresees the board earning a pariah status on the global stage.
Haq’s pointed remarks target the board’s over-reliance on governmental directives from an unstable administration. “This capitulation to a temporary power will haunt us,” he warned. “Bangladesh will be viewed as a disruptive force, with players’ World Cup aspirations crushed and far-reaching fallout inevitable.”
Advocating for player autonomy on safety matters, Haq criticized the BCB’s process. Following consultations, the board cited security lapses and ICC indifference as reasons for withdrawal. ICC countered decisively, affirming India’s safety and rejecting relocation bids to Sri Lanka.
No changes to the original fixtures, per ICC board vote—Scotland looms as a likely substitute. As local players voice growing dissent, the boycott underscores a pivotal moment: will Bangladesh reclaim its voice in cricket governance or fade into isolation?