Cricket is rocked by the wave of India-Bangladesh diplomatic bitterness

POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Jan 14, 2026 : Cricket is rocked by the wave of political and diplomatic bitterness again. The political and diplomatic bitterness with India has also touched Bangladeshi cricket due to the troubled times following the fall of the Hasina government on August 5, 2024. This unnecessary and unwanted addition to the ‘gentleman’s game’ has thrown cricket into a vicious cycle. The biggest wound of which has been the opposition to Mustafiz by hardliners in India. Due to this, the incident of Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer being thrown out of the IPL has tainted cricket. This insignificant incident in the post-August 5 tension between Bangladesh and India has put a question mark on Bangladesh’s performance in the World Cup. Bangladesh’s World Cup future is swinging between hopes and fears.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has not budged a hair from its decision not to play the T20 World Cup in India due to security concerns. The ICC could not turn their ‘no’ into a ‘yes’. A solution to the problem could not be found in a video conference with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday afternoon. The BCB has once again requested the ICC to move all its matches in the World Cup from India to another country.
In a press release, the BCB said, ‘The decision not to play the World Cup in India has been reiterated due to security concerns. At the same time, the BCB has once again requested the ICC to move all Bangladesh matches in the World Cup to another country outside India.’ The ICC has requested the BCB to reconsider its decision. Given the situation, it seems that a ‘request session’ is underway between the ICC and the BCB. The T20 World Cup will start on February 7. That means there are only 26 days left. Time is very short. How will the ICC resolve the crisis in such a short time is one question. In a video conference, the world cricket governing body has requested the BCB to reconsider its decision. The BCB statement said, ‘The ICC has informed that the tournament schedule has already been published. Therefore, the BCB should reconsider its decision not to play in India. Both sides have agreed to continue discussions to find a possible solution to the problem.’ The statement further said, ‘The BCB is committed to ensuring the safety of the players, officials and staff of the Bangladesh team. In addition, constructive discussions will be continued with the ICC to reach a resolution to the matter.’
Former ambassador Humayun Kabir told this correspondent, ‘Bangladesh and India have been playing cricket with each other for many years. But recently, some things have been done by India due to which there has been discomfort in the sports arena of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has made its position clear, also stating the reasons for its dissatisfaction.’
He said, ‘If Bangladesh’s position is viewed with respect and an understanding is reached that no such decision will be taken in the future, Bangladesh can now think about playing. The matter should not go to such a point that the game cannot be played anymore. We have seen India and Pakistan playing in Dubai instead of playing in their own country. I think the issue of playing should be considered if there is a chance of a respectful solution.’
Former Ambassador Mahfuzur Rahman said, ‘From a diplomatic point of view, it is not right to have disagreements or quarrels. No one benefits from this. These issues have to be resolved one way or another. In diplomacy, issues are such that one day someone gets less of one part, the next day someone gets more of another part. In this way, a balance has to be maintained somehow or the other. That can be with any issue, with any country.’
He said, ‘There are many issues due to which Bangladesh has been forced to take such a decision not to play. But I am not in favor of being so harsh. I think that a compromise should have been reached somehow. The rise of cricket in Bangladesh is due to international cooperation.
We have come a long way in cricket. Therefore, no such decision should be taken that gives the ICC or any other international cricket organization the opportunity to be hostile towards us. Because, this current political hostility will go away at some point.
Former professor of Jahangirnagar University Dr. Abdul Latif Masum told this correspondent, ‘In principle, I think politics should not be dragged into everything. It is sad if politics is involved in sports, education, and culture. The way India has taken the issue of Mustafizur should not have been taken. I do not think that Bangladesh has taken a difficult position in response to that is right.
A director who participated in the video conference told this correspondent, ‘We were both positive. The ICC has tried to convince us nicely to play in India. We also tried to explain our security concerns and position well. We are still optimistic. The discussions will continue.’ President Aminul Islam, two vice-presidents Sakhawat Hossain and Faruk Ahmed, chairman of the cricket management department Nazmul Abedin, and CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury participated in the video conference on behalf of the BCB.
The crisis began after Mostafizur Rahman was excluded from the IPL on the orders of the Indian Cricket Board. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after his team Kolkata Knight Riders cut the Bangladeshi left-arm pacer from their IPL squad without any reason. Bangladeshi cricket fans could not accept this unreasonable decision. Due to this, the Ministry of Information issued a notification to stop the broadcasting of the IPL in Bangladesh. Three days ago, Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul said that the ICC Security Committee had given three conditions to the BCB, including playing in India without Mustafiz, which was impossible to accept.