The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a serious warning to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Following discussions about Bangladesh's travel plans to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, Najmul Hossain, the chairman of the BCB finance committee, has made it clear that there will be consequences if their request to relocate is turned down.
BCB Warns of Withdrawal from T20 World Cup
Recently, former captain Tamim Iqbal advised the BCB to proceed with caution. He cautioned that a rash decision could negatively impact cricket in Bangladesh. This led Najmul to label him an ‘Indian agent’. Now, Najmul has asserted that the BCB isn’t concerned about the potential fallout from withdrawing from the T20 World Cup.
He emphasized that while the BCB may not suffer, the players certainly will. If Bangladesh pulls out of the tournament, the cricketers will miss out on match fees for the games they don’t play. The board won’t provide any compensation, even though they will still receive funds from the ICC.
Also Read | 123 runs in List A game! Shreyas Iyer's best friend bags unwanted record in VHT 2025-26
Najmul pointed out that players don’t face pay cuts for poor performance, so why should they be compensated now? It’s worth noting that many players could also lose sponsorship deals due to the ongoing tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Najmul made it clear that the Bangladesh government isn’t dictating the BCB’s actions; the decision to withdraw from the T20 World Cup rests solely with the board. He mentioned that while people are free to speculate, apart from security issues, the BCB doesn’t take orders from the government.
In summary, the standoff between the BCB and the ICC underscores the rising tensions surrounding Bangladesh’s involvement in the T20 World Cup 2026. Najmul Hossain’s firm position indicates that the board is prepared to make tough choices if their relocation request is denied, even if it means financial losses for the players.
While the BCB claims it won’t be impacted by a withdrawal, the players are at risk of losing both match fees and sponsorship opportunities. There's a lot of debate among former players, and with no direct involvement from the government, this issue is quite delicate. If not approached with care, it could have long-lasting repercussions for cricket in Bangladesh.
