Bangladesh Cricketers Launch Boycott Ahead of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh Cricketers Respond to Harsh Comments from Officials

Bangladesh cricketers have initiated a boycott of games across all formats and competitions in response to disparaging remarks made by a senior official from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), just weeks before the T20 World Cup 2026. Two matches in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) were indefinitely suspended on Thursday after teams failed to show up at the Dhaka stadium, leading to the boycott occurring a day after BCB director Nazmul Islam criticized the country’s top players.

Islam was dismissed by BCB hours after the first BPL match was suspended. This action comes amid uncertainties regarding the venues for Bangladesh's matches in the T20 World Cup scheduled from February 7 to March 8, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka.

Why Did Cricketers Boycott BPL Matches?

The players, represented by the Cricket Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), took action in reaction to a verbal outburst from BCB official Islam, who suggested that players should return the "crores of taka" (tens of millions of Bangladeshi currency) spent by the federation over the years when the team has not won any international tournaments.

Which Matches Were Affected by the Boycott?

The first match affected by the boycott was a BPL game between Chattogram Royals and Noakhali Express, scheduled to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka at 1:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT). Players from both teams did not appear, forcing tournament officials to suspend the match. The second match of that day, between Rajshahi Warriors and Sylhet Titans, scheduled to start at 6:00 PM (12:00 GMT) at the same stadium, was also postponed.

What Do Players Demand?

Players are calling for the removal of Islam from his position at the BCB.

What Did Nazmul Islam Say About the Cricketers?

Islam, who led the BCB's finance committee, responded to inquiries about potential compensations for players in case they could not participate in the T20 World Cup due to Bangladesh's refusal to play in India. He stated, "The question [of compensation] does not arise just after the money spent on them by the federation. We spend so much on them, and they cannot achieve anything in various venues," he told reporters.

How Did BCB React to the Players’ Demands?

The federation initially distanced itself from Islam's attack, stating that it regretted his comments. "Such comments do not reflect the values, principles, or official stance of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, nor do they align with the standards of conduct expected from individuals responsible for serving Bangladeshi cricket," the BCB said in a statement. Following the players' boycott of the BPL matches, the federation conceded to the players’ demands and dismissed Islam on Thursday.

Have Players Ended the Boycott After Islam’s Dismissal?

Neither CWAB nor the players have made a statement regarding the status of their boycott following Islam's dismissal.

What Happens If Bangladesh Does Not Play in the T20 World Cup?

BCB has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh's matches in the T20 World Cup away from India, citing safety and security concerns for their players. The ICC responded by stating that it considers the venues - Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata - to be safe for the Bangladeshi team. However, BCB remains firm in its position and has urged the ICC to reassess its request.