Bangladesh’s dream of defending its T20 credentials in the 2026 World Cup has been shattered by a government decree prioritizing security over sport. The decision, revealed Thursday, prohibits the team from competing in India-hosted games, prompting an ICC announcement to slot in Scotland imminently.
Tempers are flaring in Dhaka’s cricket fraternity. Players accuse authorities of bypassing them entirely, turning a supposed strategy session into a notification exercise. ‘We showed up thinking our say mattered,’ one athlete confided off-record. ‘Instead, it was “pack your bags, you’re not going.” Pre-decided by the government—no debate.’
The intervention elevates the matter beyond the pitch, into realms of diplomacy and safety protocols. Despite captains Litton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s advocacy—underscoring the squad’s evolution into a T20 powerhouse—the resolve remained unyielding.
Frustration boils over: ‘This torpedoes our momentum. We’ve transformed through dedication, only for politics to intervene.’ Sports consultant Asif Nazrul later fielded questions aggressively, indicting the ICC and hosts for neglecting peril risks, including historical intimidations and event logistics.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul’s damage-control efforts rang hollow amid palpable dejection. Insiders reveal a team in turmoil, their all-in commitment to the tournament now a bitter memory. As ramifications unfold, this clash between state imperatives and athletic aspirations raises questions about Bangladesh cricket’s autonomy and future international standing.