Bangladesh government throws players under the bus [Source: AFP, X]In a significant development, the Bangladesh government has shifted the blame to the BCB and Bangladesh players for the team's controversial withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2026. Recently, the ICC revealed that it wouldn't sanction the BCB for Bangladesh's T20 World Cup ouster, while also allotting a major event prior to the 2031 50-over World Cup. Soon after the ICC and BCB reached a reconciliation, the Bangladesh government's sports adviser, Asif Nazrul, threw the players and the board under the bus, stating that it was their decision not to participate in the tournament. When Asif Nazrul called T20 WC boycott a government decisionRenowned fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman's IPL 2026 snub affected the cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, as the latter refused to play its T20 World Cup matches on Indian soil. In fact, Bangladesh urged the ICC to relocate its matches from India to Sri Lanka, a demand the apex body authoritatively dismissed following its security inspection. The logistical deadlock eventually led to Bangladesh's controversial exit, with the ICC replacing it with Scotland in the mega event. The Bangladesh government played an active role in the process, citing that it was impossible to send its players to India amid worsening geopolitical relations between the neighbouring countries. In fact, it was Asif Nazrul who held a meeting with the players before releasing an official statement explaining why Bangladesh wouldn't travel to India for the T20 World Cup. He accused the ICC of biased decision-making, terming Bangladesh's T20 World Cup boycott a decision made by the government. "The purpose of the meeting was simply to explain to the players why the government took this decision and give them the context. I believe they understood. That was the purpose - nothing else. I think we did not get justice from ICC. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision," Asif Nazrul had told reporters on January 22. Asif Nazrul takes U-turn on T20 World Cup dramaHowever, after the ICC and BCB sorted it out through a trilateral dialogue that also had the PCB on loop, Asif Nazrul took a U-turn from his initial stance, blaming the players and the PCB for the T20 World Cup mishap. "There is no question of regret (not playing the World Cup). This decision was taken by the BCB and the players as they made sacrifices for the safety of the country's cricket, the safety of the people and to protect national dignity," Nazrul was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. "The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and that Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. This is a brilliant achievement. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board," he added. Will ICC punish Bangladesh for T20 World Cup boycottThe ICC initially refrained from commenting on possible sanctions that BCB could face, believing it was the Bangladesh government's decision to withdraw from the World Cup for security reasons. However, as the sports adviser has changed his stance, playing an untimely blame game and pushing the BCB to the firing line. Having said that, as the apex body has officially stated that it wouldn't impose financial sanctions, the BCB will likely get a narrow escape despite breaching its tournament participation protocols.
