The Bangladesh National Cricket Team is facing a big crisis, as they could be left out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after the International Cricket Council denied their request to shift their group matches out of India due to security concerns.
Bangladesh faces a T20 World Cup 2026 crisis
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) remained firm on its decision, with the government adamant on not sending the national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, while the ICC made it clear that the schedule will remain unchanged under any condition.
With the ICC yet to officially confirm the Tiger’s exclusion from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh’s sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, made a surprise appearance at the Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 (BPL 2025-26) Final on Friday, January 23, in Dhaka, and spoke out about the ongoing tension with the ICC and India.
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The Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka was full of cheering fans during the BPL 2025-26 Final, and Nazrul said that it shows how much Bangladesh loves cricket. He noted that the Bangladesh players have worked hard to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 and deserve to play, but political and administrative decisions are putting their participation in danger.
Sports Advisor uses BPL crowd to send a message as Bangladesh’s T20 WC 2026 spot in danger
Asif Nazrul told the broadcaster in Dhaka, “Bangladeshi people, they love cricket, and the huge presence of the spectators is a testament to this. And this was actually much needed because, you know, quite recently Bangladesh has been on the verge of being excluded from the T20 World Cup.”
His comments came after the Bangladesh government reportedly decided not to send the team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. This decision was taken even without asking the national players their opinion and without consulting them.
The sports advisor also feels the crowd gives encouragement to the players during this difficult time. He said, “They have the right to play there, but they are being excluded. So, in such a special time, the huge presence of spectators will definitely encourage Bangladesh cricket and cricketers.”
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Fans’ support sends strong message: Sports Advisor
Nazrul used the packed Dhaka stadium during the title clash as an example of Bangladesh’s passion and love for cricket. He said that the fans’ presence during the BPL 2025-26 Final sends a “special message” to the world that Bangladesh loves cricket and will always support its players.
He signed off by saying, “We’ve got, I think, a huge presence of advisors. You can hear the sound and how popular cricket is in Bangladesh. Actually, half of the advisers who are present in Dhaka City tonight have turned up today, and it carries a special message.”
Cricket is more than a game. Advisor Asif Nazrul speaks, and the crowd reacts like a storm. 🌪️
BASHUNDHARA CEMENT BPL 2026
POWERED BY WALTON LIFT#BPL2026 pic.twitter.com/WpR4GxbSoP— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 23, 2026
Notably, Rajshahi Warriors thrashed Chattogram Royals by 63 runs in the final, thanks to Tanzid Hasan’s century, to lift their first BPL trophy on Friday, January 23. Tanzid became the third batter after Tamim Iqbal and Chris Gayle to score a century in the BPL final.
