The Bangladesh Test captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, has slammed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director, M Najmul Islam, for his comments on the former captain and the expressive opening batter, Tamim Iqbal. The director faced heavy criticism after calling the southpaw an ‘Indian agent’ after Tamim urged the BCB to participate in the T20 World Cup 2026 in India.

Islam commented on Facebook before it was deleted later on. The controversy came after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, ahead of the 2026 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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“Very sad, very sad because such comments were made about a cricketer, a former captain, and in my opinion, one of Bangladesh's most successful cricketers whom we grew up watching. As players, we expect respect, whether someone is a former captain, a regular player, successful or not. At the end of the day, a cricketer hopes for respect.” Shanto expressed, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Najmul Hossain Shanto angry over BCB director’s comment on Tamim Iqbal

The BCB has sent two letters to the ICC, raising their specific concerns over travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. They also repeated the request to move India’s games to Sri Lanka, as the event is scheduled to begin on February 07.

“What hurts most is that the cricket board is supposed to be our guardian. We expect them to protect us. As a player, I cannot accept such a comment. Parents should correct you at home, not in front of everyone. So such a comment from someone who is supposed to be our guardian is very difficult to accept. I completely reject it as a player.” Shanto added.

Bangladesh will start their campaign at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, where they will play their three group-stage clashes against West Indies, Italy and England, before the team moves to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for their last group-stage game against Nepal on February 17.

The left-handed middle-order batter of the Indian side, Tilak Varma’s injury ahead of the home T20I series against New Zealand and the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2026 has put the BCCI in a tough position. The southpaw is India’s second leading run-getter in the shortest format after Abhishek Sharma since the beginning of 2025.

In that case, the former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, has suggested the name of Shreyas Iyer as Varma’s replacement. He also reckoned that Shubman Gill is likely not get his chance, having struggled with the bat in the last few T20I series.

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“Who can it be? Shreyas Iyer. ‘Sarpanch’ sahab should be picked automatically. He is already playing well and scored in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too. Even when Iyer was not picked in the Asia Cup, it felt slightly unfair, but it was understandable. But there is an opportunity for a middle-order role here. He is also an experienced player and set the IPL on fire.” Chopra expressed on his Twitter account.

Aakash Chopra names Shreyas Iyer as Tilak Varma’s T20I replacement

Iyer, who has collected 1104 runs in 47 T20I innings at a strike rate of 136.12 with eight fifties, has dominated the IPL 2025 for the Punjab Kings with 604 runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 175.07, thanks to six half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

“Riyan Parag could also be one candidate, and he was part of the T20I side before. He can also bowl, and if India is looking for an all-rounder or multi-skilled player, Riyan Parag could be that guy. But my vote is for Shreyas Iyer. I would place Parag at No.2. Jitesh Sharma might have an outside chance.” Chopra shed light.

“Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen today (Wednesday). He was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE. Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four weeks for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand look bleak.” The reports of the Indian Express address. 

The former Indian captain and current opening batter, Rohit Sharma, was visibly elected after the former BCCI secretary and the current ICC chairman, Jay Shah, called him the Indian captain during a recent event on Reliance Foundation, as the video has gone viral on social media.

Shah’s comment came despite Rohit being replaced by Shubman Gill as India’s ODI captain ahead of the Australia tour in October 2025, as the Nagpur bond decided to retire from the longest format in June 2025, having already taken the same decision from T20Is, having won the T20 World Cup 2024.

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“Our captain is sitting here. I will call him captain only, as he has led the team to two ICC trophies. During the 2023 World Cup, after winning ten successive matches, we could only win hearts but could not lift the trophy. Our captain is sitting here. I will call him captain only, as he has led the team to two ICC trophies.” Shah expressed in the function as the video goes viral.

Jay Shah calls Rohit Sharma Indian captain in viral video

Despite the change, Rohit has enjoyed a successful stint as captain, leading India in consecutive titles in the ICC T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy 2025, having finished as the runners-up of the ODI World Cup at home in 2023, where they won all the clashes, including the semifinal against New Zealand.

Watch the video here: 

Jay Shah Said - “Our Captain Rohit Sharma is sitting here. I am still calling you captain because under you, we won two ICC trophies”. ❤️🥹🫂 pic.twitter.com/7hOrlpiSuf

— Dr Mamta Jaipal  (@ImMD45) January 8, 2026

“During the 2023 World Cup, after winning ten successive matches, we could only win hearts but could not lift the trophy.” Shah shed light on Rohit Sharma, who made a special body transformation to keep an eye on the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Since the Australia tour, Rohit has celebrated three half-centuries and one century in the last six innings. His unbeaten century came at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) while he looked in sublime touch in the two half-centuries against South Africa in Ranchi and Vizag. He hopes to start 2026 in the same fashion against New Zealand. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally sent a second letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 8, which highlights their specific security concerns regarding their travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is going to begin in less than a month. They have requested a change of venue to Sri Lanka, which will co-host the tournament.

Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play three group-stage games at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata against England, West Indies, and Italy before they make their way to the iconic Wonka Stadium in Mumbai for the last group-stage encounter against Nepal. However, they have refused to travel to India after their left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, was released from the IPL following the instructions of the BCCI.

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“Following discussions with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, the BCB has once again sent a communication to the ICC. The ICC wanted to know areas of security concern, and BCB has cited them.” The BCB source expressed the conditions as the reports suggested.

BCB again requests T20 World Cup 2026 venue relocation

The discussion has come amid the ongoing situation between the BCB and the ICC regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the world event, as the global body has maintained silence and asked for the exact nature of the clarity on the security concerns flagged by the Dhaka-based board. Mustafizur’s release followed incidents involving attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

"In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board's inputs will be welcomed.” The BCB revealed.

There is one section of the board which Asif Nazrul headlined, stance of not playing the World Cup in India, while others keep the discussion with the ICC and the Indian authorities. Nonetheless, it will be a nightmare for the global body to fully relocate four group-stage games, along with the Super 8 clashes of Bangladesh from India to Sri Lanka in less than four weeks.

The former West Indies captain and premier all-rounder, Jason Holder, was unhappy with India's decision not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 from Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, as he felt it failed to engage with the sporting arena. He continues to be a rare group of players who continue to be part of both IPL and PSL, continuing a relationship with both nations.

Post the Pahalgam tragedy in 2022, India adopted a strict discipline even in the sporting realm, which casts doubt over the scheduled matches of the Asia Cup. Jason Holder was present in an interaction with the daughter of former Australia opener, Matthew Hayden- Grace- during a show on ‘Game on with Grace.’

See Also: BCB addresses ICC's reaction to security concerns of T20 World Cup 2026 in India

“I don’t like this India-Pakistan beef that goes a long way beyond the cricket field. It is really sad. They are two powerhouses in world cricket, and to see how things have transpired, I saw India win the Asia Cup, and they didn’t go to accept the trophy. I think it’s too much. These things shouldn’t be in our game, especially if we are ambassadors of the world.” Holder expressed in the video.

Jason Holder drops shocking statement on India-Pakistan relationship

Holder calls for a move for a change, which would be needed from the top. Urging both the Asian sides to unite. The arch-rivals are going to meet in the group stage of the event, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka on February 15.

Watch the video here: 

Jason Holder on the India & Pakistan conflict pic.twitter.com/Gq3Ko4eS9k

— Usman (@jamilmusman_) January 7, 2026

“We’re talking of world peace, making the world a better place, then that’s not what you want. I think if it has to change, it has to come from influential people. They are both influential teams on the cricket field. Yes, a lot may be happening off the field, but on the field, India and Pakistan can maybe join forces in the sport. That would be huge for the context of everything.” holder addressed in the interaction.

“If they can do it on the cricket field, the two countries may be like, ‘Look, it’s done on a sporting level, maybe we can do it on an everyday level. Stop this fight, stop this war.” The former West Indies player shed light.

Less than a month before the start of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, India have suffered a massive injury blow to their middle-order batter and the hero of the Asia Cup 2025, Tilak Varma, and could also get replaced for the upcoming five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand, which begins on January 21 in Nagpur.

In that case, the BCCI selectors may look to consider Shubman Gill, who has already been ignored for the World Cup. If things turn out, Gill may also get a look for the world tournament. The reports have claimed that Varma was in Rajkot for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26 when he felt a pain in the abdomen after breakfast.

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“Tilak faced severe pain in his abdomen today (Wednesday). He was rushed to a hospital in Rajkot, where various scans were done, and reports were sent to doctors at the COE. Doctors have advised him to undergo surgery, which will take three to four weeks for him to recover. Chances of playing the entire T20I against New Zealand look bleak.” The Indian Express Reports revealed.

Tilak Varma suffers abdomen injury ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Tilak has overall smashed 1183 runs in 37 innings of the shortest format at an average of 49.29 and a strike rate of 144.09 with the help of six half-centuries and two centuries at the best score of unbeaten 120 runs against South Africa.

India would be worried about his availability for the T20 World Cup campaign, which begins on February 08, where India’s opening game will be against the United States of America at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Shreyas Iyer may also get a chance in the T20I side after returning to the 50-over domestic event.

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya continues to feature in the last round of the VHT 2025/26 against Chandigarh after missing the previous clash. He smashed 133 against Vidarbha and was ignored in the New Zealand ODIs to manage his workload and keep him fresh for the World Cup.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed the words of ICC’s ‘willingness to work closely’ with the board as they ensure ‘full participation’ of the team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The BCB issued a statement calling for a call with the ICC to discuss Bangladesh’s refusal to play the group games of the World Event in India.

The issue has occurred due to security reasons after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release their left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, due to the ongoing political situation. The statement didn’t mention whether Bangladesh would play in India or not.

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“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board's expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team's matches.” The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed in a statement.

BCB reacts to ICC on T20 World Cup 2026 venues in India

Bangladesh are scheduled to play three group games of the competition at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata against the West Indies, England, and Italy before moving to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the final game against Nepal, under the leadership of Litton Das.

Latest from @BCBtigers. Nol ultimatum#Cricket pic.twitter.com/DT0qgDoJV0

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) January 7, 2026

"In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board's inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.” The BCB addressed.

“The BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard. The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded, and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC.” The board reflected.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the call of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over travelling to India to participate in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The reports have claimed that, through a virtual call, the ICC has told the BCB that they had rejected the board’s request to play their games outside India due to security reasons.

The ICC also addressed Bangladesh that they would need to ravel to India for the World Cup or risk forfeiting points. The BCB, however, has claimed that no such decision has been taken by the governing body. There hasn’t been any official news by either BCCI or the BCB on the outcome of the call, which was arranged only to solve the issue.

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The development has come nearly a month before the beginning of the 20-team competition in India and Sri Lanka from February 07, which ends on March 08. Bangladesh, under the leadership of Litton Das, are placed in Group C and are scheduled to play their first three games at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

BCB asked to play all T20 World Cup 2026 games in India

Bangladesh will begin their campaign on February 07 against West Indies before locking horns with Nepal a day later. On February 14, they will be up against England at the same venue before moving to the iconic Wankhede Stadium for their final group-stage encounter against Nepal on February 17.

The BCB’s decision to write to the ICC has been triggered after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release their Bangladesh left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, as the latter was bought for a massive price of INR 9.2 crore during the IPL 2026 auction last December. The decision was notified to media by the BCCI secretary, Devajit Saikia.

Saikia didn’t mention the reason behind KKR being asked to release Mustafizur, who was the lone Bangladesh player bought at the IPL 2026 auction. It has been revealed that the IPL governing council never discussed the situation, as question remains on the main decision maker of the situation.

The current coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ricky Ponting, has been shocked at the omission of Shubman Gill from India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Ahead of the event, during the Asia Cup 2025, Gill was the vice-captain of the blue brigade.

Since returning to the format, Shubman Gill couldn’t manage a single half-century in the format and was axed from the T20 World Cup side as a result. Ponting noted that he was surprised at the BCCI’s decision to drop the Punjab batter from their world event squad.

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“I couldn’t believe that. I mean, I know his recent form hasn’t been great in white-ball cricket. The last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK, where he batted as well as I’ve ever seen anybody bat. I think, one, I’m surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket.” Ponting expressed in the ICC review.

Ricky Ponting shocked at Shubman Gill’s T20 World Cup 2026 omission

Gill’s average has dropped terribly in the shortest format during the home T20I series against South Africa, as he also struggled at the opening position with Abhishek Sharma, who always comes under pressure inside the powerplay. BCCI’s chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, addressed the lack of runs for the right-handed batter.

“We know what a quality player he is, but perhaps short of a little bit of runs at the moment. It’s unfortunate to have missed out on the last World Cup as well, because we went with different combinations. But it’s the combinations more than anything else. Someone has to miss out when you pick 15, and unfortunately, it’s Gill at this point.” Agarkar added.

“We are looking at the combination. If the keeper is going to bat at the top, at the moment Jitesh is there, and he has not done too much wrong. But we need to look at the combination and a keeper at the top.” The former Indian pacer reflected during the press conference.

Bangladesh pacer, Taskin Ahmed, has returned to the shortest format after being named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka from February 07 to March 08. The right-arm fast bowler had missed the recent home series against Ireland as he was featuring for the Sharjah Warriors in the 2025/26 season of the International League T20 (ILT20).

The top-order wicket-keeper batter, Litton Das, will lead the side with Saif Hasan being appointed as his deputy. On the other hand, Jaker Ali and Mahidul Islam have failed to retain their places in the side, while Najmul Hossain Shanto also missed out, which has been a somewhat surprising decision.

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Bangladesh will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on the opening day of the event as they are placed in Group C alongside West Indies and England. Nepal and Italy. Their opening game will be against the two-time champions, West Indies, on February 07 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Bangladesh name T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Banglesh will lock horns with the debutants Italy at the same venue in Kolkata on February 09, while on February 14, they take on England in Kolkata. Three days later, they fly to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the final group-stage clash against Nepal.

The build-up to the event hasn’t been smooth with the development that prompted the BCCI to ban the Bangladesh left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman, from the IPL, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) confirming the news. The BCB, however, seeks clarity from both ICC and BCCI.

They are also going to write to the ICC over the security arrangements for players, fans, and media during the competition. They want their games to be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing the concern over the players’ safety.

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Litton Kumar Das (captain), Mohammed Saif Hassan (vice-captain), Tanzid Hasan, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Md Shaifuddin, Shoriful Islam.