BANGLADESH stood firm in its demand, and suffered at the hands of the global cricket body that is under India’s thumb. Their refusal to play their matches of the Twenty20 World Cup in India has seen them being replaced by Scotland in a move that underlines how political the game of cricket has become. The sport was once used as a means of easing political tensions, yet, at every tournament there is a dispute involving teams; especially those from the South Asian region and it ends with the International Cricket Council bowing to India’s demands. Bangladesh had accused the ICC of hypocrisy after its request to have its matches shifted to World Cup co-hosts Sri Lanka was turned down. An issue that stemmed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India asking Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to ‘recent developments’ has spiralled into a stand-off before the World Cup that begins on Feb 7.

India-Bangladesh tensions spiked last year after the government of Sheikh Hasina, a close ally of New Delhi, was toppled in Dhaka. Bangladesh is due to hold elections during the World Cup and it was taking a leaf out of India’s book to deliver a political message through cricket. India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy last year, leading to an arrangement that will see the Salman Ali Agha’s men play their matches in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has similarly raised security concerns over playing in India but found no respite. It has hinted at taking its appeal to the Court for Arbitration in Sport. While Bangladesh have challenged India’s hegemony, the fact remains that once again, South Asian politics have spilled over into sport. Perhaps it is time that the cricketing world came together and arrived at a decision to keep politics out of the game.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2026