The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 in India, citing security concerns, despite the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming there is no credible threat. Former Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary and ex-ACC CEO, Syed Ashraful Haque, has strongly criticised the move, calling it “government-driven” and warning it could isolate Bangladesh in international cricket.

Haque stressed that players were deprived of their chance to compete in a World Cup, and any decision regarding participation should have been made by the players, not the board or government. The ICC has rejected requests to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka and maintains that the tournament will proceed as scheduled. The BCB has approached the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee to pursue its stance, with a final decision pending.

This controversy highlights tensions between cricket boards, government influence, and players’ interests ahead of one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.