Bangladesh has formally expressed its decision not to play the T20 World Cup group stage matches in India, citing security concerns for its team. The decision follows intervention from Dhaka after the exclusion of pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board communicated its position to the International Cricket Council in an email on Sunday, stating it was not possible to send its team to India under the current circumstances and security concerns.

The move came after a direct instruction from Asif Nazrul, the interim government’s sports adviser. Nazrul had argued that “where one cricketer’s safety and playing certainty is not assured, the entire team cannot feel secure.” He instructed the BCB to request that the ICC relocate its matches.

This intervention followed the contentious removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad, an action believed to be under pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The dropping of the fast bowler caused significant controversy and prompted the government’s response.

Initially, most BCB directors had advised against drastic measures during an online meeting on Saturday night. However, they reversed their position following the sports adviser’s directive. A subsequent in-person meeting of 17 board directors today in Sylhet ratified the decision to officially request a venue change from the ICC.

Bangladesh was scheduled to play three of its four group matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The tournament begins on February 7.