Pakistan’s decision to boycott only its scheduled match against India at the ICC T20 World Cup has triggered sharp and, at times, hostile reactions across India, exposing what analysts in Pakistan describe as deep discomfort within Indian cricket over challenges to its dominance in global cricket affairs.

The government of Pakistan announced on Sunday that the national team would participate in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka but would not take the field for the February 15 match against India.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the government said Pakistan had cleared the team to travel for the tournament while taking a principled stand on the India fixture.

The move sparked widespread debate in India, with former cricketers, commentators and politicians openly pressuring the International Cricket Council (ICC) to act against Pakistan.

Indian Member of Parliament and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the politicisation of cricket, saying sport was meant to bring people closer but had instead become a victim of political interference.

He also criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and condemned the exclusion of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), an episode that triggered the wider crisis.

Tharoor said Pakistan appeared to have taken the step in solidarity with Bangladesh but warned that the situation was now escalating.

Senior Indian journalist Vikrant Gupta claimed on X that the ICC had warned Pakistan it could not selectively boycott a single match, asserting that a team must either play the entire tournament or face legal consequences.

His remarks highlighted the pressure being exerted on the ICC, largely driven by commercial interests tied to India-Pakistan fixtures.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told Indian media that the ICC had issued a “strong statement” on the matter and said the Indian board agreed with the ICC’s position, but would not comment further until consultations were completed.

Former Indian fast bowler Atul Wassan, speaking to ANI, said he felt some sympathy for Pakistan but also expressed surprise over the decision.

He questioned whether Pakistan would also refuse to play India if the two sides met again later in the tournament, including in the final.

“If Pakistan does not play against India and gives away the points, and then meets India again later, even in the final, will they still not play?” Wassan asked.

He went on to say that by taking this decision, Pakistan had left the ICC with “no option,” adding that allowing such a move would amount to “blackmail.”

Wassan claimed the ICC would be forced to act and warned that Pakistan may not fully realise the scale of the potential financial losses involved.

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also reacted on X, questioning whether an India-Pakistan clash would be impossible even in the knockout stages.

He warned that such a scenario could severely damage the credibility of the T20 World Cup.

Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle echoed similar concerns, saying Pakistan’s conditional participation posed serious legal and commercial challenges.

He suggested that the ICC could deduct broadcaster losses from Pakistan’s share of ICC revenues and questioned how the situation would be handled if an India-Pakistan final were scheduled.

The controversy stems from Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament after Mustafizur Rahman, who had been picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026 for Rs920 million, was dropped amid rising India-Bangladesh tensions and reported security threats.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board later requested the ICC to move its World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

The request was rejected, reportedly under pressure from the BCCI, prompting Bangladesh to pull out of the event.

Amid these developments, reports emerged that Pakistan was considering its own options. The government ultimately decided that Pakistan would participate in the World Cup while refusing to play India.

Indian media have since claimed that the ICC may convene a board meeting to decide Pakistan’s status in the tournament and have warned of possible sanctions and financial penalties. No official ICC decision has been announced so far.

In Pakistan, the decision is being viewed as a measured stand against political interference in sport, highlighting what many see as double standards in global cricket governance and the disproportionate influence exercised by Indian cricket authorities.

Pakistan has decided to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but will not play its scheduled match against India, the government said on Sunday.

The decision was taken after an important meeting between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which Pakistan’s participation in the tournament was discussed.

In a statement, the government said the national team would take part in the T20 World Cup but would not play the match against India scheduled for 15th Feb 2026.

Despite reservations, Pakistan confirmed its participation in the tournament, while maintaining its decision to boycott the India match.

The government said the decision not to play India was taken as a protest and as an expression of solidarity with Bangladesh.

The issue follows a dispute lasting about three weeks between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh, during which the ICC, under the influence of the Indian cricket board, rejected Bangladesh’s demands and excluded the team from the tournament.

Bangladesh had four matches scheduled in Kolkata. During the same period, Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League following threats from Hindu extremist groups.

Pakistan’s team is expected to depart for Colombo on Monday. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 6th February.

The final decision regarding the participation of the Pakistan cricket team in the T20 World Cup is expected today, for which high-level consultations are underway in the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Various options are being considered in the context of the changing cricket situation in the region and the recent dispute in Bangladesh.

According to sources, various proposals related to the T20 World Cup are being seriously considered in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has taken the Bangladesh Cricket Board into confidence in this regard, and the overall cricket situation in the region has been discussed.

Sources say that the ongoing consultations aim to ensure the protection of Pakistan’s interests while avoiding any possible complications.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan has also directed to take a decision on this matter with grace and prudence.

It should be noted that the T20 World Cup dispute between the ICC and Bangladesh had been going on for about three weeks.

Under the influence of the Indian Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council refused to accept Bangladesh’s legitimate demands and expelled them from the tournament.

Bangladesh’s four matches in the T20 World Cup were scheduled in Kolkata, but after threats from Hindu extremists, Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was expelled from the IPL.

After this situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board demanded that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka because the players were feeling unsafe in India.

The decision to expel Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup has not only been described as surprising by cricket experts but is also being severely criticised by Indian journalists.

According to many observers, the main reason for this decision is the stubbornness and ego of the Indian Cricket Board.

In this regard, the Pakistan Cricket Board may also consider the option of boycotting the World Cup or not playing the match against India; however, the final decision in this regard is expected today.

Dhaka University student Sadman Mujtaba Rafid defied his parents and police to join protests that toppled former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, convinced the rallies were essential to ensure democracy prevailed over dynastic rule.

But ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election — the first since the upheaval – some of Rafid’s optimism has faded.

“We dreamt of a country where all people, regardless of gender, race, or religion, would have equal opportunity,” the 25-year-old said.

“We expected policy changes and reforms, but it is far away from what we dreamt of.”

Tens of thousands of young Bangladeshis, frustrated by years of repression and a lack of jobs and economic opportunity under Hasina’s rule, poured into the streets in 2024, eager for radical change and a “New Bangladesh”.

But while the elections will deliver a government without Hasina for the first time since 2008, there has been no major reform, and no new viable alternative party has emerged, according to many, leaving the battle for government mostly between former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Opinion polls put the established, but tarnished, parties as frontrunners.

Reuters spoke to more than 80 students under 30, mostly in the capital Dhaka.

Most expressed excitement about voting in a freer election, but were disappointed with the choice of candidates.

Gen-Z behind uprising

Under 30s, popularly known as Gen-Z, drove the uprising and make up more than a quarter of Bangladesh’s 128 million voters.

“They are politically active and will in all likelihood go to vote and affect the electoral outcome,” said political analyst Asif Shahan, who teaches at Dhaka University.

Most were expected to back the newly-formed National Citizens Party (NCP), spearheaded by some of the uprising’s leaders, but it has struggled for their support.

An alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami may have further undermined its appeal.

“They have lost the moral high ground,” said Shudrul Amin, a 23-year-old archaeology student at Jahangirnagar University.

“Voters who wanted a ‘New Bangladesh’ free from the baggage of the past now feel they are being forced to choose between the old guard and a student‑JI alliance.”

Shama Debnath, a 24-year-old Hindu, said politics remained “trapped in an ‘either this or that’ framework” with no new vision or choices.

Spirit of revolution lost

The interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has also disappointed many in Gen-Z after it failed to rein in mob violence targeting journalists and minorities.

“After a year, I feel the spirit of the July revolution is completely lost,” said Hema Chakma, a 23-year-old Buddhist student.

“I am not saying the previous situation was good, but I feel the violence has increased a lot and the interim government is not taking any steps.“

Interviews with young Bangladeshis also betrayed unhappiness with the economy, the spark for the revolt that led to Hasina’s eventual exile in India.

NCP’s spokesperson Asif Mahmud, 27, who rose to prominence during the protests and served in Yunus’ government, said the party was constrained by being new and having mostly younger members.

It also lacked resources, grassroots organisation and financial muscle, he added.

Mahmud stressed the alliance with Jamaat was strategic rather than ideological, and there would be no move towards sharia law.

“We will work to fulfil expectations of the youth in the present and also in the future as promised,“ he said.

People eager to vote

Despite their misgivings, most Gen-Z Bangladeshis told Reuters they remained hopeful about the election itself, where 300 seats are being contested.

There will be a simultaneous referendum on reforms to state institutions, including term limits for prime ministers, stronger presidential powers and greater independence for the judiciary and election authorities.

Willingness to vote was as high as 97% among those aged 18 to 35, with an almost even split between BNP and Jamaat, according to a recent poll by the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre, a youth‑focused leadership platform.

“People are going to vote, and that is enough,” said 26-year-old student activist Umama Fatema, a key figure in the 2024 uprising, adding that only a democratically elected “stable government” could steer Bangladesh.

For some, that means the BNP.

“Given that the new students’ party has shattered our hopes, I have decided to vote for BNP,“ said 25-year-old Maisha Maliha, saying she believed the country needed a strong, united political party with enough people on the ground.

Others say religious parties should have a chance. “We have seen BNP before, so Jamaat seems like a new option,” said 20-year-old Erisha Tabassum.

Not ready to give up

Tasnim Jara, a doctor who returned from Britain to join the NCP but quit because of the hardline alliance, is now contesting as an independent, determined to help foster what she calls a “genuinely new political culture”.

The 31-year-old spent two frantic days going door-to-door to collect the 5,000 signatures required to validate her nomination.

“The July uprising created hope that people like us, who were never part of the old political guard, could finally enter politics and change how it is practised,” said Jara.

“I do believe there is hope for a genuine political alternative in Bangladesh. But it will not emerge overnight,” she said.

Such efforts still resonate with some young voters.

H.M. Amirul Karim, a 25-year-old English literature student, said: “I continue to dream that even if not now, the desire for a new political structure will become a reality. I am not ready to give up.”

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday officially announced that Bangladesh will not participate in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and Scotland will take its place in Group C, joining England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies.

The decision follows Bangladesh’s refusal to play its scheduled matches in India.

On January 4, Bangladesh had announced it would not travel after its player Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League (IPL) team amid rising tensions between the two countries.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) subsequently requested the ICC to shift its games to Sri Lanka.

The ICC rejected the request, citing the absence of “any credible or verifiable security threat” to the Bangladesh team in India.

“Scotland has been called up to take Bangladesh’s place in Group C, joining England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies,” the ICC stated.

Scotland, ranked 14th in T20I rankings, was chosen as the next-highest ranked team after Bangladesh.

In its statement on its website, the ICC said that the decision follows an extensive process undertaken by the ICC to address concerns raised by the BCB regarding the hosting of its scheduled matches in India.

“Over a period of more than three weeks, the ICC engaged with the BCB through multiple rounds of dialogue conducted in a transparent and constructive manner, including meetings held both via video conference and in-person,” the statement said.

“The ICC reviewed the concerns cited by the BCB, commissioned and considered independent security assessments from internal and external experts, and shared detailed security and operational plans covering federal and state arrangements, as well as enhanced and escalating security protocols for the event,“ it added.

“The ICC’s assessments concluded that there was no credible or verifiable security threat to the Bangladesh national team, officials, or supporters in India. In light of these findings, and after careful consideration of the broader implications, the ICC determined that it was not appropriate to amend the published event schedule,“ it said.

The ICC said the BCB was given a 24-hour window to confirm its participation. With no response, the council followed its governance and qualification procedures to identify a replacement team.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

Scotland, which had narrowly missed qualification, now joins the tournament as Bangladesh’s replacement in Group C.

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be decided by the federal government, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday, reacting to reports that Bangladesh has been replaced by Scotland in the tournament.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Naqvi said the PCB would abide by the government’s directive on whether Pakistan will play the World Cup, adding that the final decision would be announced after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country.

“We are more bound by the government’s decision than the ICC,” Naqvi said. “Once the decision comes, we will share our next plan.”

Naqvi criticised the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) reported move to exclude Bangladesh, calling it unfair and reflective of double standards.

“Bangladesh is a major stakeholder. An injustice has been done to them. There should be no double standards, where one country is treated differently from another,” he said.

He said he had raised the issue during an ICC board meeting and urged the governing body to treat all member nations equally.

“We will not allow any single country to dictate terms,” he added, stressing that Bangladesh should be allowed to participate in the World Cup under any circumstances.

Bangladesh replaced by Scotland

According to Indian media reports, the ICC has replaced Bangladesh with Scotland after Dhaka refused to send its team to India for the mega event.

The reports said the ICC rejected Bangladesh’s request for a hearing and informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board and other member boards of its decision through a formal letter.

The reports further said Scotland will feature in Group C of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The ICC has yet to issue an official public statement on the matter.

ICC has included the Scotland team in place of Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup. The Indian media claims that the ICC will soon issue a statement regarding this.

The Scotland team was included in the World Cup after Bangladesh’s refusal, according to the Indian media.

Bangladesh had refused to play in India, citing security as justification.

The Bangladesh board had written in the letter that the ICC is showing double standards in the matter, the global organization should think about its member board.

According to Indian media, Bangladesh will suffer a loss of 325 crore Taka.

Earlier, ICC had given the Bangladesh Cricket Board a day’s time to take a final decision.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the ICC Board of Directors on Wednesday, where a majority of directors voted in favour of replacing Bangladesh with a replacement team.

Among the 15 directors present at the meeting, only the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) supported the BCB.

The meeting was called after the PCB wrote a letter to the ICC and other boards, supporting Bangladesh’s position to play matches in Sri Lanka, which is also the co-host of the tournament.

It is also worth remembering that under government pressure, India had removed Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, whom Kolkata Knight Riders had bought for more than 9 crore, no reason was given for this.

In Bangladesh, after the 2024 public uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the election campaign for the first national elections in the country begans.

Before the elections to be held on 12 February, the country’s major political parties held election rallies in various cities, including the capital, Dhaka.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central leader Tarique Rahman began his election campaign by addressing thousands of supporters in the northeastern city of Sylhet, while in the coming days, he will also visit other districts.

During his address in Sylhet, he accused Jamaat-e-Islami of using religious sentiments to obtain votes. Tarique Rahman said that if he is elected, he will protect national sovereignty and work for women and youth.

Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party have also started their election campaigns in the capital, Dhaka. National Citizen Party leader Nasiruddin Patori said that terrorism, crimes, extortion, and corruption exist; our struggle is against them so that a just Bangladesh can be established and a safe Dhaka can be made for women and children.

General elections are scheduled in Bangladesh for 12 February, in which 350 members of parliament will be elected. According to European Union observers, this process could be the largest democratic event up to 2026.

These elections are being described as the most important elections in the history of Bangladesh, because they are being held under an interim government after the removal of Sheikh Hasina, while voters will also give their opinion on proposed political reforms.

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has expressed commitment to holding free and fair elections in the country; however, questions are also being raised after his government imposed a ban on Sheikh Hasina’s former ruling party, the Awami League. The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have long dominated the country’s politics.

Concerns are also being expressed about the law and order situation in the country; however, the interim government says that the voting process will be kept peaceful.

Muhammad Yunus assumed responsibilities of the interim government on 5 August 2024, three days after Sheikh Hasina departed for India following the unrest and crackdown in which hundreds were killed earlier that year.

It should be noted that Sheikh Hasina is currently in hiding in India, and in November, she was sentenced to death in absentia on charges of a crackdown against protesters.

Long vilified for opposing independence and barred from electoral politics for over a decade, Bangladesh’s biggest religious party is reinventing itself and attracting new support ahead of parliamentary polls next month, unsettling moderates and minority communities.

Jamaat-e-Islami began its overhaul soon after a youth-led uprising in the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million people toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

With Hasina’s Awami League banned, Jamaat is betting on its anti-corruption image, welfare outreach, and what analysts describe as a more inclusive public stance to deliver the party’s best-ever performance.

A December opinion poll by the US-based International Republican Institute ranked Jamaat as the most “liked” party and projected a tight race with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for the top spot in the February 12 election.

“We started welfare politics, not reactionary politics,” Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman told Reuters, citing its medical camp initiatives, flood relief and aid for families of those killed in the uprising.

“The constructive politics, which Jamaat and its associates … are doing now, people will put their trust and belief in Jamaat-e-Islami,” Rahman said.

The party has its origins in the pan-Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami movement, which emerged in India in the early 1940s and called for a society governed by Islamic principles.

Jamaat opposed Bangladesh’s independence, and during Hasina’s rule, many of its leaders were executed or jailed in a war crimes tribunal.

In 2013, it was barred from elections after a court ruled its charter was in conflict with Bangladesh’s secular constitution.

The electoral ban was lifted last year, and Jamaat’s student wing swept the Dhaka University polls, beating the Gen-Z National Citizen Party formed by leaders of the anti-Hasina movement.

Months later, it formed an electoral alliance with the NCP, which some analysts say could help soften Jamaat’s image.

“We want something new, and the new option is Jamaat,” said Mohammad Jalal, 40, who sells coconut water from a mobile van in a crowded Dhaka market.

“They have a clean image and work for the country.”

Political analyst and theologian Shafi Md. Mostafa said the party’s shift from a “stigmatised force with limited space” to a “rehabilitated, pragmatic contender” had been helped by public anger over abuses during Hasina’s rule.

“The authoritarian tendencies of the Awami League have created widespread frustration, allowing Jamaat to revive its rallying cry of ‘Islam as a solution’ and present itself as a moral alternative,” Mostafa said.

For the first time, Jamaat has nominated a Hindu candidate and spoken out against recent attacks on minorities.

On its website, the party says it wants Bangladesh to be a democracy guided by Islamic principles.

Party leaders have also publicly assured women of equal rights, though Jamaat has not named any women as candidates for the 300 parliamentary seats.

Rahman said women could gain representation through the 50 seats to be allocated by proportional representation after the election.

Shireen Huq of women’s activist organisation Naripokkho said the promises were “an electoral ploy.”

“No matter what they say now, they will return to their dogma, which includes restrictions on women in every sphere,” she said.

Umama Fatema, a 26-year-old student activist who was at the forefront of the uprising, is also sceptical.

“One day they talk about women’s empowerment, but the next the party will talk about five-hour workdays for women,” she said, referring to the Jamaat chief’s suggestion that women work only five hours a day so they can look after their families.

“Minorities have never had real protection under any government, but the fear and insecurity we now face is unprecedented,” said a minority community leader, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisals.

“If a Jamaat-led coalition comes to power, there is a real risk that Bangladesh will move towards a full-fledged Islamic republic.

Today, I fear for my life, and I fear that minorities in Bangladesh may not have a secure future,“ he added.

Jamaat spokesperson Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said the party had “never been involved in, nor has it ever supported, any acts of violence or intolerance in the name of religion”, and called for an investigation.

Jamaat, which was a junior coalition partner in the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006, has formed electoral alliances with most of the country’s other parties, some more conservative.

It began shortlisting election candidates early last year, hiring an international agency to assess voter sentiment.

Last week, Jamaat said it would contest 179 seats, with 74 distributed among the NCP and other allies.

A further 47 seats are still to be shared after one party pulled out of the alliance.

“Jamaat approached me in April,” said Mir Ahmad bin Quasem, the son of a Jamaat leader who was hanged for war crimes during Hasina’s rule and who spent eight years in secret detention before his release in August 2024.

“They showed me data suggesting people across the country were fed up with the old parties and wanted change. They believed there was a real opportunity — and I joined.“

Some say a Jamaat government might also move closer to Pakistan, marking a departure from Hasina’s era when India was the country’s most important bilateral partner.

Rahman said that the party was not inclined towards any country.

“We maintain relations in a balanced way with all.

We are never interested in leaning towards any one country. Rather, we respect all and want balanced relations among nations,“ he said.

If the Bangladesh issue is not resolved, Pakistan will review its decision to participate in the T20 World Cup, according to sources.

Bangladesh has taken a blunt stance not to play in India, and Pakistan has assured full cooperation.

The Bangladeshi government contacted Pakistan, according to sources.

Pakistan took a stance that no country can be allowed to be threatened or intimidated.

Bangladesh’s reasonable and valid reasons should be taken into account.

Bangladesh demands that the matches scheduled in India be shifted to another venue due to security concerns.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has stuck to its decision of not playing T20 World Cup matches in India, according to reports from Indian media.

The board reaffirmed its stance, stating that the team will play its matches at an alternative venue rather than in India.

In response, an International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is scheduled to visit Dhaka to meet with Bangladesh Cricket Board officials.

The visit aims to hear the board’s concerns and attempt to address them.

Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul said the board’s position remains unchanged. The team prefers to play its matches in Sri Lanka, a proposal that has already been presented to the ICC.

Sources indicate that Bangladeshi officials consider an alternative venue more appropriate given the current situation.

The ICC has not yet issued a final decision on the matter.

Cricket fans are closely watching the upcoming ICC-Bangladesh Cricket Board meeting, which could determine the venues for the T20 World Cup matches.

Director Nazmul Islam was removed by BCB on Thursday, who was accused of making inappropriate statements regarding players, after an intense protest by players in Bangladesh and a boycott of the Bangladesh Premier League.

Nazmul Islam used strong words, including not providing financial compensation to the players in case of Bangladesh’s boycott of the World Cup.

According to sources, the protests of the Bangladeshi players have finally taken effect, and the Cricket Board has announced the immediate removal of Director Nazmul Islam from his post.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board says that Nazmul Islam’s statement regarding the players has been declared inappropriate, after which this decision was taken. It should be remembered that Bangladeshi players had strongly reacted against Nazmul Islam’s statement and boycotted the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The players were of the view that such statements are unacceptable and are affecting the cricketing atmosphere.

The Bangladesh Players Association also took a strong stand on the issue and threatened not to play cricket until their demands were met.

The BPL matches were affected due to the mass protest of the players, after which the cricket board had to take immediate action.

After the dismissal of Nazmul Islam by the cricket board, it is expected that the players will end their protest, and the BPL affairs will return to normal.

Bangladesh cricket board on Tuesday repeated its refusal to travel to India for next month’s T20 World Cup during talks with the ICC governing body, with ties tense between the two countries.

Bangladesh wants the International Cricket Council to shift their World Cup games from India to co-hosts Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

The World Cup begins on February 7, and Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group matches in India.

The row erupted on January 3, when India forced Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman to quit the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Mustafizur, who has played in the IPL for other teams in previous editions, was snapped up at auction in December by Kolkata for more than $1 million. His sacking sparked fury in Dhaka.

On Tuesday, during a video conference with the ICC, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said it had “reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh’s matches outside India”.

Political relations between India and Bangladesh soured after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 toppled then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi.

India’s foreign ministry last month condemned what it called “unremitting hostility against minorities” in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of exaggerating the scale of the violence.

“The BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns,” the BCB said in a statement.

“While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board’s position remains unchanged.”

The ICC have not commented.

The BCB said discussions with the ICC continue to “explore possible solutions”, it added, but that it “remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff”.

Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, are placed ninth in the ICC T20 rankings.

They have played all nine editions of the tournament, but have never qualified for the semi-finals.

Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, evolving regional security dynamics and ways to strengthen bilateral defence and military cooperation.

They emphasised the importance of closer professional engagement, training exchanges and sustained defence collaboration between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The visiting air chief praised the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building long-term and resilient defence ties with Bangladesh.

The meeting highlighted the longstanding relations and shared bonds between the two countries.

Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, called on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf at Naval Headquarters, Islamabad, to discuss regional security and bilateral defence cooperation, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

The two sides reviewed matters of professional interest, the evolving regional security situation and ways to further strengthen military-to-military ties, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Admiral Ashraf highlighted the Pakistan Navy’s role in promoting maritime peace and stability through regional and multinational initiatives.

Air Chief Marshal Khan praised the professional standards of the Pakistan Navy and expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

Both leaders agreed on increasing high-level exchanges and joint training activities to enhance operational coordination.

The visit follows Admiral Ashraf’s trip to Dhaka in late 2025 and reflects the growing pace of defence engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was recently released from the Indian Premier League (IPL), has registered for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), sources said on Tuesday.

According to sources, Mustafizur is among at least eight Bangladesh cricketers who have expressed interest in featuring in the upcoming PSL season. The number of Bangladesh players registering for the league has risen during the ongoing players’ registration process.

Besides Mustafizur Rahman, the list of registered players includes senior all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy, pacer Taskin Ahmed, leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, opener Tanzid Hasan, experienced campaigner Mahmudullah Riyad, and Hasan Mohammad.

Sources said more Bangladesh cricketers are likely to register for the PSL in the coming days as interest from the country’s players continues to grow.

The PSL players’ registration window remains open, with franchises expected to closely monitor overseas sign-ups ahead of the draft.

The chief of the Bangladesh Air Force visited Air Headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday, where he was welcomed with a guard of honour and discussions focused on strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu received the visiting Bangladeshi air chief.

Both sides agreed to expand comprehensive training support and discussed fast delivery and long-term support for the Super Mushshaq trainer aircraft.

The visit also included consultations on maintenance of older aircraft fleets, air defence radar systems, and potential acquisition of JF-17 Thunder jets.

The Bangladeshi delegation toured the National ISR, Cyber Command, and Aerospace Technology Park.

Both countries expressed commitment to converting defence relations into a long-term strategic partnership.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has begun reviewing possible changes to the T20 World Cup schedule after Bangladesh formally declined to play its matches in India, citing security concerns, officials said on Monday.

According to Indian media reports, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has informed the ICC that it will not send its team to India for the tournament under the current circumstances.

A BCB spokesperson said the decision was taken due to security considerations and followed an emergency meeting of the board of directors held in consultation with the government. The move, the spokesperson added, was necessary to ensure the safety of players and team officials.

The BCB said that, given the prevailing situation, the Bangladesh team would not travel to India for the World Cup. It has formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to an alternative host country.

Sources said the ICC is now assessing potential changes to the tournament schedule and match venues in light of Bangladesh’s decision.

However, a final decision is expected at a later stage.

The development has introduced uncertainty into the World Cup planning, with officials working to accommodate logistical and security considerations while ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament.

Bangladesh will not play their Twenty20 World Cup matches in India after Mustafizur Rahman was released by his Indian Premier League team amid growing tensions between the countries, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Nazrul said on Sunday.

Kolkata Knight Riders said on Saturday they had released the Bangladesh bowler after being told to do so by India’s cricket board (BCCI).

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Twenty20 World Cup matches in Kolkata next month, with the February 7-March 8 tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today,” Nazrul, who is an adviser to the Ministry of Sports, said in a statement.

“We welcome this decision taken in the context of the extreme communal policy of India’s cricket board.”

Last month, hundreds protested near Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi after Hindu factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was beaten and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district by a crowd that accused him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h).

A total of 12 people were arrested in connection with his death.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to seek a change of venues for its matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played in India, following an escalating controversy linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The move comes after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, a decision that has triggered strong reactions in Dhaka.

The controversy intensified amid reports of political pressure in India, which ultimately led to KKR announcing Mustafizur’s exclusion.

According to Indian media, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) advised KKR to remove the Bangladeshi pacer from the squad in view of the prevailing situation, assuring the franchise it would be allowed to name a replacement player.

Following the decision, the BCB expressed concerns over the safety and security of its players in India and indicated it would formally raise the issue with the ICC.

A senior BCB official said the matter would be referred to the global governing body, stressing that while IPL selections are an internal issue of the BCCI, the T20 World Cup is an international event and falls under ICC jurisdiction.

“Mustafizur’s exclusion from the IPL is BCCI’s internal matter. However, the World Cup is an ICC event, and the final decision on venues will be taken by the ICC after considering all aspects,” the official was quoted as saying.

He added that Bangladesh would soon hold discussions with the ICC, citing the precedent of the 2025 Champions Trophy, when Pakistan refused to host India after New Delhi declined to tour Pakistan.

Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their T20 World Cup matches on February 7 against West Indies, February 9 against Italy, and February 14 against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by a February 17 fixture against Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Meanwhile, reports suggest the situation could worsen further, with indications that the BCCI is also considering postponing India’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh in 2026.

The tour, part of Bangladesh’s home season starting in March 2026, includes a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.

The series was originally planned for 2025 but had already been deferred.

Neither the ICC nor the BCCI has issued an official statement so far on Bangladesh’s request or the future of the bilateral series.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party aims to gather five million supporters to welcome its leader Tarique Rahman home from nearly 17 years in exile on Thursday, a show of strength as he emerges as a leading contender for prime minister in February elections.

Rahman, 60, is the son of ailing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and acting chairman of the party that is widely expected to come out on top in the parliamentary vote set for February 12.

His return from London comes as his BNP is on the ascendant following the ouster of its arch foe, long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a student-led uprising last year. Apart from brief transition administrations, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have alternated in power since 1991.

A December survey by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute suggests the BNP is on course to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, with the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party also in the race. Hasina’s Awami League party, which has been barred from the election, has threatened unrest that some fear could jeopardise the vote.

Rahman’s decision to return is driven by both political developments and personal circumstances. His mother has been seriously ill for months, prompting what party insiders describe as an urgent trip home.

‘DEFINING POLITICAL MOMENT’, BNP SAYS

BNP leaders said they are preparing for what they call an “unprecedented” gathering in the capital, aiming to draw more than five million supporters along the route from the airport to the reception venue.

“This will be a defining political moment,” senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, adding that security arrangements are being closely coordinated with authorities to ensure order.

Rahman has lived in London since 2008 as he faced multiple criminal convictions at home including for money laundering and in a case related to a plot to assassinate Hasina. He was, however, acquitted of all charges after Hasina’s removal, clearing the legal barriers that had delayed his return.

BNP officials said he will travel directly from the airport to the reception venue before visiting his mother.

YOUTH PARTY WELCOMES HIS RETURN

Rahman’s return comes as the Muslim-majority South Asian nation of nearly 175 million people enters a sensitive election period under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The vote is widely viewed as crucial to restoring political stability after nearly two years of turmoil.

Bangladesh is at a crossroads, with Rahman’s return testing the BNP’s ability to mobilise peacefully and the interim administration’s promise to deliver a credible transfer of power. While the government has pledged a free and peaceful election, recent attacks on media outlets and sporadic violence have raised concerns about law enforcement.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the youth protest movement that toppled Hasina, said it views Rahman’s return positively.

“Tarique Rahman was forced into exile under severe pressure and threats, so his homecoming carries symbolic weight,” said Khan Muhammad Mursalin, an NCP spokesperson. “His arrival will undoubtedly energise party leaders and supporters… On the path to democracy, we will stand with him.”

Another student leader in Bangladesh has been shot in the head in the southern city of Khulna, marking the second such attack this month amid heightened political tensions following the killing of prominent youth activist Sharif Osman Hadi.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, Mohammad Md Motaleb Sikder, 42, a senior leader of the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), was targeted by unidentified gunmen on Monday in the Sonadanga area of Khulna.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head and was rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition.

Police said a search operation was launched to trace the attackers.

Some local media outlets reported that Sikder later succumbed to his injuries, though there was no official confirmation from authorities at the time of filing this report.

The shooting comes days after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a well-known youth activist and organiser of recent student-led protests.

Hadi was shot earlier this month in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area while campaigning ahead of the February 12 general elections. He was later flown to Singapore for treatment but died of his injuries.

Hadi’s killing triggered protests in Dhaka and other cities, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability. The incidents have raised fresh concerns over security and political violence in the country.

The National Citizen Party was formed earlier this year following the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power.

Emerging from movements including Students Against Discrimination and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, the party has quickly gained prominence among student groups in Bangladesh.

Authorities have said investigations into both incidents are ongoing.

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshi mourners, including the country’s interim government leader, attended the funeral on Saturday of a slain youth leader and election candidate amid tight security.

Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a key figure in last year’s student-led uprising that toppled longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last week while launching his campaign for an election due in February. He died on Thursday in Singapore after six days on life support.

His death has prompted a wave of unrest in the South Asian nation that included coordinated mob attacks on major newspapers and cultural institutions.

Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across the capital for Saturday’s funeral but there were no reports of any renewed violence.

Interim government leader Muhammad Yunus said Hadi’s legacy would endure, describing the funeral as a collective pledge to uphold the ideals he had championed.

“Today, we have come to promise you (Hadi) that we will fulfil what you stood for,” Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, told the mourners, who included Bangladesh’s army chief and representatives from across the political spectrum.

In a rare and symbolic honour, Hadi was laid to rest on the Dhaka University campus beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

BANGLADESHIS HOPE ELECTION WILL END YEARS OF INSTABILITY

Bangladesh is to elect a new parliament on February 12 — a transition many hope will help the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million people recover from nearly two years of instability and reclaim its position as a regional success story.

But frequent bouts of violent protests and political wrangling among disparate groups including Islamist hardliners have punctured the national sense of euphoria that arose after Hasina was ousted in August 2024.

It has also exposed the limitations of Yunus’ interim government, analysts say, raising questions over his grip on governance in the world’s largest apparel producer after China.

The government has declared Saturday a day of state mourning for Hadi and has urged citizens to resist “mob violence by fringe elements”, warning that turmoil threatens Bangladesh’s fragile democratic transition.

Human Rights Watch called Hadi’s killing a “terrible act” and urged the government to act urgently to halt the violence that has gripped the country since Hasina’s ouster.

The rights group also condemned the attacks on the media as an assault on free expression.

Bangladesh ranks 149th of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. Rights groups say continued attacks on journalists and activists could further shrink civic space ahead of the election.

Amnesty International urged prompt, independent investigations into Hadi’s killing and the subsequent violence, including the burning of newspaper offices and harassment of journalists.

Demonstrations continued on Friday in the Shahbagh area of the capital, where crowds demanded justice for Hadi and accountability for the attacks. A mob stormed the Dhaka office of Udichi Shilpigosthi, Bangladesh’s premier progressive cultural organisation.

The violence has spread beyond the capital. In Chittagong, protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission, reflecting growing anti-India sentiment since Hasina fled to New Delhi after her ouster.

Her party, the Awami League, which has been barred from the election, has threatened unrest that some fear could derail the vote.

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the semi-final of the U-19 Cricket Asia Cup to qualify for the final, which will be played on Sunday.

The national team easily achieved the target of 122 runs for the loss of 2 wickets on Friday.

Bangladesh struggled against disciplined bowling and were dismissed inside the allotted overs for 121.

For Pakistan, Abdul Subhan bowled brilliantly and took four wickets, while Huzaifa Ahsan took two, and Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam and Ahmed Hussain took one wicket each.

The match was reduced to 27 overs per side due to a wet outfield following earlier rain, adding pressure on both teams in the knockout contest.

Sameer Minhas remained unbeaten on 69 runs, Usman Khan scored 27, and Ahmed Hussain scored 11 runs.

The final of the Under-19 Asia Cup will be played in Dubai on Sunday, December 21, where the teams of Pakistan and India will face each other once again.

Violent protests erupted in several cities across Bangladesh after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi late on Thursday, with concerns of further unrest ahead of national elections in which he was due to run.

Hadi, 32, a spokesperson for the Inquilab Mancha platform who participated in the student-led protests that overthrew the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was shot in the head by masked assailants in Dhaka last Friday while launching his campaign for the elections.

He was initially treated at a local hospital before being flown to Singapore for advanced medical care, where he died after spending six days on life support.

Hadi was an outspoken critic of India, and Inquilab Mancha describes itself on its website as a “revolutionary cultural platform inspired by the spirit of uprising.”

In Dhaka, videos circulating on social media showed mobs vandalising the offices of the country’s largest daily newspaper, Prothom Alo, as well as the Daily Star.

The demonstrations were marked by emotionally charged slogans invoking Hadi’s name, with protesters vowing to continue their movement and demanding swift justice.

Several areas remained tense, with additional police and paramilitary forces deployed to prevent further violence.

Troops were deployed to the scene, and firefighters rescued journalists trapped inside the building.

Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August 2024, following Hasina’s flight to India following a student-led uprising.

In a televised address to the nation following Hadi’s death, Yunus said: “His passing represents an irreplaceable loss to the nation’s political and democratic sphere.”

Urging citizens to remain calm, Yunus stated that the government was committed to conducting a transparent investigation and bringing all those responsible to justice.

He also appealed for restraint, warning that violence would only undermine the country’s path toward a credible election.

The interim administration has declared Saturday a day of state mourning in honour of Hadi, with national flags to be flown at half-mast and special prayers planned across the country.

In Dhaka, the premises of the prominent Bengali cultural organisation Chhayanaut were vandalised and torched.

In the northwestern district of Rajshahi, protesters demolished an Awami League party office using a bulldozer, while demonstrators blocked major highways in several other districts.

Violence was also reported in some cities across Bangladesh, including the port city of Chittagong, where protesters attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission and set fire to a house belonging to a former Awami League education minister.

The unrest follows fresh anti-India protests earlier in the week, with ties between the neighbours deteriorating since Hasina fled to Delhi.