The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has declared that its players, not the board, would face financial losses if the national team withdraws from the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka. BCB Finance Committee Chairman Najmul Hossain stated that the board's revenue streams are secured until 2027, implying no financial repercussions for the BCB from a potential pull-out. He controversially added that the board would not compensate players for lost match fees. This assertion comes amid a deepening cricketing and diplomatic row between Bangladesh and India. The BCB is refusing to send its team to India for the tournament, citing security concerns, and has repeatedly requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches to co-host Sri Lanka. The flashpoint for this dispute was the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) alleged instruction to IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his contract. While the BCCI offered no specific reason, it is widely attributed to deteriorating political relations and alleged communal violence in Bangladesh. The ICC has reportedly rejected Bangladesh's demand for a venue change, maintaining that the tournament itinerary is final and urging the BCB to reconsider. Although some reports initially suggested an ultimatum of 'play or forfeit points', the BCB has denied this, claiming the ICC is open to addressing security concerns. The crisis has expanded beyond cricket, with the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the upcoming IPL season, and Bangladeshi players reportedly facing the loss of sponsorship deals from Indian sporting brands. Furthermore, comments from a BCB director regarding player performance have reportedly led to threats of a player boycott of all forms of cricket. Bangladesh is scheduled to play its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.