BCCI president Mithun Manhas was confronted by reporters outside Swami Vivekananda Airport with questions about the ongoing dispute over Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but he chose not to engage with them.
As media personnel pressed him on why Bangladesh has refused to travel to India for the tournament, Manhas remained composed and refrained from offering any direct comment. After initially ignoring the questions, he eventually responded with a brief smile, stating, “I have come here for the second T20I match in Raipur,” deliberately steering the conversation back to immediate cricketing matters rather than the high-stakes diplomatic issue at hand.
His calm dismissal occurred amidst rising tension between cricket authorities and sporting administrations, as Bangladesh’s position on playing their World Cup matches in India has drawn widespread attention across the cricketing world. The World Cup is set to begin on February 7, 2026, and Bangladesh’s first match is scheduled against the West Indies in Kolkata — a game now hanging in question due to this dispute.
Bangladesh’s Firm Stance and ICC Response
The standoff stems from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the Bangladesh government, and members of the national cricket team maintaining that they will not travel to India for the World Cup unless their concerns are addressed.
They have repeatedly expressed security worries about playing in India, leading to an increasingly strained negotiation with the International Cricket Council (ICC). In recent talks, the BCB was reminded that failure to participate would mean forfeiting their place, potentially opening the door for another nation to take their slot in the tournament.
Bangladesh’s sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, articulated the board’s concerns in a press briefing, saying: “While our cricketers have worked hard to qualify for the World Cup, the security risk regarding playing in India remains unchanged. This concern is not based on abstract analysis…” His comments reflect the board’s deeply rooted apprehension, which hasn’t been alleviated despite calls from the ICC for reconsideration.
The ICC has so far rejected the BCB’s request to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka, affirming the original schedule and stipulating that changes would compromise the planning and integrity of the tournament.
Broader Implications for the Tournament
The dispute not only threatens Bangladesh’s participation but has also highlighted the broader challenges in organizing a global event amid geopolitical sensitivities. With the tournament approaching in just weeks, the ICC is under pressure to either secure Bangladesh’s involvement or finalize contingency plans, possibly inviting another team based on rankings to fill the slot if necessary.
For now, the situation remains unresolved, with Manhas opting to focus on cricket rather than controversy, and Bangladesh standing firm on its security concerns, setting the stage for one of the most unusual pre-World Cup episodes in recent cricket history.
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