Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing growing criticism within the country following its decision to boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup. While initial dissent among players was muted, voices of concern have gradually become stronger. In this context, Syed Ashraful Haque, former BCB Secretary and ex-executive of the Asian Cricket Council, has identified the board as a source of trouble in world cricket.
Haque sharply criticised the BCB for being under government control and highlighted the significant negative impact this move could have on Bangladesh cricket’s international standing.
Government Influence Undermines Cricket Board’s Autonomy
According to Haque, “It is deeply unfortunate that the current board has completely bowed to a government decision that will not even be in place a few weeks from now. The government’s choice to exclude Bangladesh from the World Cup will isolate the country within the global cricket community. The consequences will be far-reaching. Bangladesh will be viewed as a potential troublemaker in cricket circles. Players have been deprived of their lifelong dream to compete in the World Cup.”
He further added, “Any self-respecting cricket board would have informed the team about ICC’s security arrangements and left the decision to the players themselves. If they felt unsafe, they could have chosen not to participate. But the decision must come from the players, not the government or the board.”
Security Concerns Cited as Reason for Boycott
Bangladesh decided to boycott the T20 World Cup after holding meetings with players, citing security concerns as the main reason for withdrawing. The BCB stated that the ICC did not adequately address these worries, prompting the board to pull the team out of the tournament in India.
The ICC, however, has affirmed that the tournament will proceed as scheduled. It rejected Bangladesh’s request to move their matches to Sri Lanka, stating there is no credible security threat in India. The ICC board has already voted against any changes to the original World Cup schedule.
Scotland May Replace Bangladesh in World Cup
In the event of Bangladesh’s withdrawal, Scotland is expected to take their place in the tournament. Meanwhile, the controversy has sparked debate about the future role and independence of cricket boards in Bangladesh and the wider impact on the country’s cricketing reputation.
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