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New Delhi: Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to make decisions carefully amid the uncertainty over the participation of the national team in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
With the tournament just a few weeks away, Tamim warned that any hastily taken decision could have a long-term impact on Bangladesh cricket. The BCB formally sent a second letter to the ICC, demanding that to shift their T20 World Cup matches out of India due to security concerns.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play four group matches in India (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai) but have requested to shift their games to Sri Lanka. The BCB first wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) last week. The issue arose after KKR released Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL 2026 squad after the instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Tamim Iqbal told Cricbuzz that the situation is a bit critical currently, and commenting on it right now is difficult. He further added that everyone consider the BCB an independent body, and the discussions with the government are necessary, but as an independent board, it must also have the authority to make its own decisions.
"But one thing you must keep in mind is that many issues can often be resolved through dialogue if everyone comes together. You have to consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future of Bangladesh cricket could be and then make decisions accordingly," Tamim said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
"Today's decisions will have an impact ten years down the line, so decisions should be taken by considering what is best for Bangladesh cricket and for Bangladeshi players - that is what I personally believe," he added.
He further added that the board should not announce every step publicly, as it creates uncertainty, and they announce the final decision publicly after completing internal discussions.
"If a decision changes tomorrow, or a week later, and becomes something else, then how will you explain your initial comment? That's why I feel decisions should be taken internally first," Tamim said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
He also hoped that the final decision should prioritise Bangladesh cricket's interests, and that the future of it should be considered carefully before taking that decision.
