However, Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul has taken a complete U-turn on his previous statement regarding the T20 World Cup boycott. Nazrul now affirms that the decision to boycott the T20 World Cup 2026 was taken by the Bangladesh cricket board, as well as the players, after the ICC denied the cricket board's request to shift the venue from India. Nazrul further added that the cricket players chose to make the sacrifice in the name of the country.

On February 10, Asif told the reporters that:

“There is no question of regret. This decision was taken by the BCB and the players, as they made sacrifices for the safety of the country’s cricket, the safety of the people, and to protect national dignity.”

Earlier, it was the government that had directed the BCB to write to the ICC and had requested them to shift the games played in Bangladesh away from India. The situation in Bangladesh took a further turn after the BCCI asked Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 team roster. The government then asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in Bangladesh to stop the telecast of IPL.

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Earlier, Nazrul had stated that although the players were keen to take part in the T20 World Cup 2026, the final decision rested completely with the government.

On January 22, he had said:

“The purpose of the meeting was simply to explain to the players why the government took this decision and give them the context. I believe they understood. That was the purpose, nothing else. I think we did not get justice from the ICC. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision.”

However, after a meeting between the ICC and the PCB at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 10, it was decided that the BCB would suffer no such consequences. Not only that, but Bangladesh would also receive the hosting rights for an ICC tournament. Nazrul called this “a brilliant achievement” of the board.

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He added:

“The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and that Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. This is a brilliant achievement. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board."

In conclusion, the controversy associated with Bangladesh's position on the T20 World Cup 2026 results in the realization that cricket politics may easily move into the political arena. Asif Nazrul’s initial call for the government to make the call regarding the boycott of the tournament led to the later assertion of the BCB and the players’ contribution to the boycott call. The situation became serious when the tension regarding the IPL, along with the release of Mustafizur Rahman, ensued. However, the meeting on the 10th of February, as regards the ICC and the PCB, proved to be advantageous, as the parties were not met with sanctions. On the other hand, Bangladesh cricket ends the situation on a positive note.