Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup continues to hang by a thread after Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul made a candid admission that hinted at the possibility of the country missing the marquee ICC event altogether. Speaking during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final in Dhaka, Nazrul’s comments reflected the growing uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s stance amid its refusal to play World Cup matches in India over unresolved security concerns.
With a packed stadium as the backdrop, Asif Nazrul underlined how deeply cricket resonates with the Bangladeshi public, while subtly acknowledging the gravity of the situation. He pointed out that the overwhelming turnout at the BPL final came at a time when Bangladesh cricket was facing one of its biggest challenges off the field.
“Bangladeshi people love cricket, and the crowd here proves that,” Asif Nazrul said. “This support was much needed, especially because Bangladesh has recently been on the verge of being excluded from the T20 World Cup.”
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has remained firm on its stance, rejecting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift its matches from India to Sri Lanka or any neutral venue. The global body has maintained that extensive security assessments found no credible threat to Bangladeshi players and that altering the schedule so close to the tournament would undermine the integrity of the event.
According to reports, Bangladesh was given a final window to reconsider its decision, but the BCB reiterated that its concerns had not been adequately addressed.
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
Nazrul’s remarks suggested that the issue has now moved beyond cricket administration and into the domain of national policy. He highlighted the presence of several senior government advisors at the BPL final, signalling that the matter is being deliberated at the highest level.
“This isn’t just about cricket anymore,” Asif Nazrul hinted, noting how many policymakers had gathered at the venue. “It sends a message about how important this moment is for Bangladesh.”
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With India set to host the T20 World Cup and the ICC unwilling to make concessions, Bangladesh now face the stark reality of potential exclusion, with Scotland reportedly on standby as a replacement. Nazrul’s live television comments were widely interpreted as an acknowledgement of that possibility, even as hope remains that a last-minute resolution could still be found.
As deadlines approach, the standoff continues to cast a long shadow over the tournament, placing Bangladesh cricket at a crossroads with far-reaching consequences.
