Bangladeshs World Cup Venue Uncertain Amid Security Concerns, Liton Voices Doubt Will We Even Play

Security concerns and political tension have begun to outweigh the cricket itself, pushing on-field action into the background. As the start of the T20 World Cup draws closer, uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation continues to deepen, centering on venue selection, security issues, and diplomatic realities.
With only a few days left before the T20 World Cup begins, Bangladesh’s venue has yet to be finalized. Citing security concerns, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed reluctance to travel to India. The board has formally written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), conveying its interest in shifting Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka instead.
In an effort to ensure Bangladesh’s participation, ICC representatives visited Dhaka to persuade the BCB. However, the board remained firm in its stance over security issues. As a result, even 17 days before the tournament begins, Bangladesh’s venue remains undecided. Consequently, there is still no clear confirmation about Bangladesh’s involvement in the World Cup.
Amid this uncertainty, Bangladesh T20 captain Liton Das spoke to the media after a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match. Reflecting on the team’s mindset regarding the World Cup, he said, “Actually, there is still a long time to go before the World Cup. We are not even sure whether we will go or not.”
When asked about the board’s position on traveling to India for the World Cup, Liton chose to avoid the topic. Declining to comment directly, he briefly responded, “No comments.”
Questions were also raised about whether the ongoing political tension between India and Bangladesh could affect the World Cup. Acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue, the Tigers’ captain opted not to respond. He said, “I understand what you are going to ask, but it is not safe for me. I will not answer that.”
Meanwhile, when asked how helpful playing on such wickets would be for World Cup preparation, Liton once again highlighted the prevailing uncertainty. Questioning whether Bangladesh’s participation is even confirmed, he reiterated, “Are you sure that we are going to play the World Cup? Actually, there is still a long time to go before the World Cup. We are not sure whether we will go or not.”
Overall, preparation on the field has taken a back seat to a much bigger question—the reality of Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup. Cricket fans are now waiting to see what outcome emerges from the ongoing discussions between the ICC and the BCB.