Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Withdrawal A ‘Big Mistake’, Says Ex-ACC Chief
Ashraful Haque accuses officials of politicising Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup exit amid India tensions.
Former Asian Cricket Council (ACC) CEO Ashraful Haque has sharply criticized Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, blaming sports advisor Asif Nazrul and former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Aminul Islam Bulbul for what he described as a “fiasco” driven by political sentiment rather than sporting logic.
The controversy stems from Bangladesh’s decision to pull out of the tournament, which is scheduled to be held in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had requested that their group-stage matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the request, leading to Bangladesh’s withdrawal and subsequent replacement by Scotland in the competition.
Haque, speaking to Revsportz, alleged that Bulbul “walked into a trap” set by Nazrul, accusing the sports advisor of leveraging anti-India sentiment within Bangladesh to influence the decision. He suggested that Bulbul should have upheld Bangladesh’s contractual obligation to participate, especially given the players’ willingness to compete. According to Haque, a firmer stance by the BCB leadership might have prompted a reconsideration at the governmental level or escalated the matter to higher authorities for resolution.
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The criticism also highlighted inconsistencies in the official narrative surrounding the withdrawal. Initially, Nazrul described the move as a government-mandated decision based on security concerns. However, he later stated that the decision was taken by the BCB and the players, a reversal that has fueled further scrutiny and debate within cricketing circles in Bangladesh.
Despite expectations of disciplinary action, the ICC later confirmed that Bangladesh would not face any penalties for withdrawing from the tournament. Additionally, the global body indicated that Bangladesh is set to host a future ICC event ahead of the 2031 ODI World Cup, which it will co-host alongside India, suggesting that long-term cricketing ties remain intact despite the current dispute.
The situation reportedly escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India removed Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 Indian Premier League, a move seen as reflective of deteriorating political relations. Bangladesh’s decision also drew initial support from Pakistan, which had considered boycotting its own match against India before later reversing its stance, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions influencing international cricket.
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