Mon Jan 05 02:30:00 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:

Summary:

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced it will not send its team to India for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, citing safety concerns stemming from escalating political tensions between the two nations. The BCB has formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside of India. This decision follows advice from the Bangladesh Sports Ministry and comes a day after the BCCI directed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 season. The ICC is expected to respond soon, but the BCCI views fixture changes as unlikely with the tournament rapidly approaching.

News Article:

Bangladesh Pulls Out of T20 World Cup in India Amid Rising Tensions

Mumbai, India – January 4, 2026 – In a move that throws the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup into disarray, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced today that its national team will not participate in the tournament in India, citing growing safety concerns. The decision, made after an emergency board meeting, follows escalating political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

The BCB has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches to venues outside of India. According to a BCB statement, this decision was reached “following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and considering the advice from the Bangladesh Government.”

The announcement comes just weeks before the World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7th, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Adding to the complexity, the decision was made a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026 season. While the BCCI has not cited a specific reason for the Rahman decision, it’s being viewed as a contributing factor to the BCB’s withdrawal.

Sources within the BCCI suggest that fixture changes are unlikely given the proximity of the tournament. However, they have stated that the BCCI will comply should the ICC intervene.

The ICC is expected to respond to the BCB’s request in the coming days. The situation creates a significant challenge for the ICC, potentially requiring a complete overhaul of match schedules. Sri Lanka is slated to host 20 of the 55 matches, and the future of Bangladesh’s involvement now hangs in the balance.

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