T20 World Cup 2026: 'If they don't come, it is their loss' - Azharuddin on Bangladesh not playing in India

Former India captain and legendary batter Mohammad Azharuddin has warned the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for their stance of not travelling to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He believes that nothing else but the cricket in Bangladesh will ultimately suffer in this fiasco. 

Azharuddin spoke about how it is not reasonable for Bangladesh to have any security issues in India when international teams like South Africa and New Zealand are playing cricket here. The veteran cricketer further added that the schedule is already fixed, and it is not possible to change it at the last minute.

‘If they don't come, it is their loss. They cannot complain about our security system. A lot of international matches are going on, and no team has complained. If they don't come, it will be their loss and a loss for their players. Our country is very secure," Azharuddin said as quoted by Asianet Newsable

"All the teams are playing. New Zealand are currently playing in India, and South Africa played just a few days ago. You can't keep shifting the World Cup matches here and there. Since the matches are already scheduled, it is very difficult to shift matches," the former Indian captain added.

Asif Nazrul stands firm on not traveling to India

Notably, the BCB is reluctant to travel to India for the WC and is demanding that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing security issues. The ICC is now considering other options since the Bangla Tigers are unmoved despite multiple negotiations and assurances provided by the international governing body ahead of the twenty-team event.

Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul again stood firm on Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India, stating that ICC has rejected their request. He further accused the ICC of not giving justice to their request. 

"Our security risk in playing in India has not changed at all. This concern did not arise from any imaginary analysis or assumption. It arose from a real incident, where one of the best players of our country was forced to bow his head before extremists, and the Indian cricket board removed him from India, plainly speaking, asked him to leave," said Nazrul. 

ICC, reportedly, is now considering giving Scotland a replacement call-up after Bangladesh failed to respond within a given time.