Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal has stated that Bangladesh should have played the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign earlier this year in India and Sri Lanka, adding that ties between both countries were strained due to Mustafizur Rahman’s controversy.
Speaking on a YouTube channel, ‘Not Out Norman’, Tamim asserted that the whole country was disappointed with Mustafizur’s controversy. Notably, ahead of the IPL 2026 season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forced Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to axe the pacer amid intense political backlash and regional tensions.
“Look, Mustafizur’s issue was obviously something that the whole country was disappointed with. This was in no way right thing to do, this should never have been done. At that time I endorsed this, I am saying it even now. But we are going to play a World Cup,” Tamim said on YouTube channel ‘Not Out Norman’
“If you go to a point of no return on the very first day, then that (solution) won’t happen. And I feel in some cases, sports should remain as sports. So much trouble happened recently, right? Iran went to play in America during the ongoing war between two countries, I mean, that was bigger than this, a war is going on. So that’s my point, I mean, a war is going on….we should have definitely played the World Cup. We should have definitely done the negotiation in a better way,” he added.
After the pacer’s controversy, the Bangladesh government responded by banning all telecasts and broadcasts of IPL within the country. Later, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, requesting the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move their matches out of the country. Ultimately, Bangladesh was replaced by Scotland in the tournament.
However, Tamim said that both countries are continuing to look for a window for the bilateral series despite their hectic schedules. Tamim disclosed that the three ODIs and three T20Is will not happen in September as originally planned.
“That it (India series) won’t happen hasn’t been decided yet,” Tamim said.
“Both boards are very sincere that this thing happens. Both BCCI and BCB are looking at windows as well, which time what can be done. Roughly a date, around which we are also thinking whether it can be done at this time or not,” he added.
“If I saw the intention was negative, then today I wouldn’t even have said this word to you, ‘Let’s see what happens, we’re hopeful.’ I wouldn’t have even said this word. Intentions are very positive,” he concluded.
