• Bangladesh Cricket Board requests T20 World Cup matches be relocated from India to Sri Lanka.
• Political tensions have escalated following the release of Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.
• The decision aims to ensure the safety of players amid unsafe conditions in India.

Bangladesh has formally requested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) shift its T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to growing concerns regarding player safety. The demand arises after the abrupt removal of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amid escalating political tensions between the two nations. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) affirmed their stance stating, “The Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” as expressed during an emergency board meeting, according to Al Jazeera, BBC, and South China Morning Post.

The decision stems from both political and social strife, highlighted by a recent incident wherein a Hindus man was lynched in Bangladesh, leading to heightened anti-Indian sentiments in the country. This ongoing crisis has exacerbated the fragile diplomatic relations between the two nations, causing Bangladesh to reconsider its participation in the T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, as noted by the BCB’s president Aminul Islam Bulbul, who reaffirmed the priority of player dignity and security, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

In light of these circumstances, the BCB, as mandated by the Bangladeshi government, is pressing for their matches to be relocated, a shift that would mark a significant move in international cricket logistics. Previously, Sri Lanka has been designated as the host for all of Pakistan's matches due to similar tensions with India. The BCB's demands illustrate the far-reaching impact political dynamics have on sporting events in the region, particularly highlighting concerns that "where a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot play in India, the entire Bangladeshi cricket team cannot feel safe going to play in the World Cup," stated Asif Nazrul, the Youth and Sports Adviser of Bangladesh, according to BBC and South China Morning Post.

The backdrop of this crisis is a significant period in Bangladeshi politics, with upcoming elections and a prior upheaval against ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resulting in increased anti-India sentiments. Many in Bangladesh are calling for a boycott of the IPL as a reaction to these political developments, stressing the overall sentiment within the cricketing community, as discussed by officials, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.