Bangladesh's participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is in jeopardy due to unresolved security concerns surrounding playing matches in India, a top sports official announced Tuesday. Asif Nazrul, youth and sports adviser in the Bangladesh interim government, told the state-run BSS news agency that Bangladesh will not succumb to "unreasonable coercion" to play their matches in India.

The dispute centers around Bangladesh's request for a change of venue, citing unspecified security concerns. "We have logically requested a change of venue for valid reasons," Nazrul stated, emphasizing the country's firm stance against playing in India under the current circumstances. "We cannot be forced to play in India through illogical pressure or unreasonable coercion."

This controversy arrives amidst already strained relations between the cricket boards of India and Bangladesh, with some observers labeling the situation as a diplomatic weapon. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has yet to release an official statement, leaving players and fans in a state of uncertainty. This situation evokes memories of the 2016 T20 World Cup when similar security concerns were raised regarding matches in India, though those issues were eventually resolved.

The potential absence of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup would be a significant blow to the tournament. Bangladesh has been a consistent participant in the T20 World Cup since 2007, with their best performance coming in 2016 when they reached the Super 10 stage. Key players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman have historically delivered strong performances in the tournament, making Bangladesh a team to watch.

The ICC has not yet commented on the situation. The next steps will likely involve further negotiations between the BCB, the ICC, and the Indian cricket authorities to address the security concerns and find a resolution that allows Bangladesh to participate in the tournament. The clock is ticking, with the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to begin in just over two years.