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All of Bangladesh's matches in the group stage are currently slated to be played in India. (AP Photo)
Litton Das has said that the players are as much in the dark as anyone else about where, or if, Bangladesh will play the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh captain said that there is still time for players to prepare and adapt if they play in the tournament, which is scheduled to start on February 7, but said that it would’ve helped to know who they were going to face in their group matches or which country they are going to play at this stage.
Strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh has spilled on to the cricket field. With India co-hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup, the powers that be in Bangladesh have said that the team will not play in the country. This came after India expelled Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) citing “recent developments”. All of Bangladesh’s matches in the group stage are currently slated to be played in India.
“If we had known who our group opponents were [in the World Cup] or which country we were going to, that would have helped,” Litton told reporters said following his team Rangpur Riders’ exit from the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). “You have seen that we have announced the squad, but until now, no player knows which country we are going to or whom we will play against. Like me, the whole of Bangladesh is now uncertain.”
“Are you sure that we are going to the World Cup?” he asked. “In reality, there is still a long time left before the World Cup, and we are not even sure whether we will go or not.”
Sri Lanka are co-hosting due to the existing agreement between India, Pakistan and ICC to play at neutral venues whenever either country is hosting a tournament. Pakistan are hence set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka, including the semi-finals and the final if they make it.
Bangladesh sports advisor says team won’t play in India
Bangladesh government’s sports advisor Asif Nazrul on Tuesday reiterated that the national team will not travel to India to play the T20 World Cup under any circumstances, adding that they won’t bow down to any pressure. This reaction comes soon after reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had given an ultimatum to Bangladesh to decide their participation in the showpiece event by January 21. The T20 World Cup is set to start from February 7 in India and Sri Lanka with Bangladesh scheduled to play their first match on the opening day itself against West Indies in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.
“There have been examples in the past when India said that they won’t travel to Pakistan to play and ICC has changed the venue. We have asked to change the venue for logical reasons and we cannot be pressured to play in India by putting illogical pressure on us,” he told reporters.
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