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Bangladesh Pulls Out of T20 World Cup Matches in India

Player release sparks safety concerns, Bangladesh seeks move to Sri Lanka

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Bangladesh Pulls Out of T20 World Cup Matches in India

Bangladesh won’t play their T20 World Cup matches in India after bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders. The decision came amid rising tensions between the two countries, said Bangladesh sports adviser Asif Nazrul.

IPL Release Sparks Controversy

KKR released Mustafizur on Saturday after being instructed by India’s cricket board (BCCI). Bangladesh were set to play three matches in Kolkata from February 7 to March 8, during the co-hosted India-Sri Lanka tournament.

Nazrul said, “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The board made this decision today.” He added that the move reflects safety concerns under the current BCCI policies.

Safety Concerns After Violence

Tensions have risen since a factory worker in Bangladesh was killed last month by a mob accusing him of blasphemy, leading to protests outside Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi. Relations were already strained after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India amid protests at home.

Next Steps for Bangladesh

Following Mustafizur’s release, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) plans to ask the ICC to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka and will request a formal explanation from BCCI. The ICC has previously moved matches due to host-country tensions, like India’s Champions Trophy games in the UAE.

Bangladesh was scheduled to face West Indies, England, and Italy in Kolkata, finishing group play against Nepal in Mumbai.

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