Bangladesh to Play 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Not India

Bangladesh will not participate in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup on Indian soil. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed this decision on Sunday during a board meeting attended by all 17 directors. The board will formally notify the International Cricket Council (ICC) via email.

BCB will also apply to the ICC to host Bangladesh’s matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan had already decided to play its fixtures in Sri Lanka. The 2026 T20 World Cup is jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the tournament set to begin on February 7. Bangladesh is scheduled to face the West Indies in the opening match in Kolkata.

The decision comes amid recent political and religious pressures. Earlier, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 squad, prompting strong reactions from the country’s cricket authorities and interim government advisors. Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul stated, “Bangladesh will not travel to India for the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today. We welcome this step in response to the aggressive communal policies of the Indian cricket board.”