The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has maintained its firm stance against sending its national team to India for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, citing significant security concerns. This position was reiterated during a video conference with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 13, 2026. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to commence on February 7, 2026. The BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's group-stage matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has officially rejected this petition, emphasizing that the tournament itinerary has already been finalized and publicly announced, urging the BCB to reconsider its decision. An independent security assessment, shared by the ICC with the BCB's security team, concluded there was no specific or heightened threat to the Bangladesh cricket team in India. The assessment classified risks in scheduled venues, including Kolkata and Mumbai where Bangladesh is set to play, as 'low to moderate', which is considered standard for major international sporting events globally and typically does not warrant relocating matches. Despite this, Bangladesh's sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, misinterpreted the findings, claiming they indicated difficulties for Bangladesh to play in India. The core of this cricketing and diplomatic standoff is deeply rooted in deteriorating political relations between India and Bangladesh. The tensions escalated following the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) instruction to an IPL franchise (Kolkata Knight Riders) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL 2026 squad, a move that reportedly caused considerable anger and a sense of humiliation within Bangladesh. With the World Cup rapidly approaching, the deadlock continues, and while both parties have agreed to continue discussions, the BCB remains committed to safeguarding its players' well-being, while the ICC insists on adherence to the established schedule.