New Delhi: Bangladesh captain Litton Das has declined to comment on the ongoing controversy surrounding the country’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026, saying it would not be safe for him to address the issue at this stage. With less than two weeks remaining before the tournament begins, uncertainty continues over whether Bangladesh will take part, as discussions with the International Cricket Council remain unresolved.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested that its World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC, however, has so far shown little inclination to alter the tournament schedule, despite several rounds of meetings between the two sides. As a result, Bangladesh’s involvement in the competition remains unclear.
Speaking after a Bangladesh Premier League match on Tuesday, Litton was asked whether the playing conditions in the domestic league were helping the team prepare for the World Cup. In response, the skipper indirectly acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their participation. He said that it was not even clear whether Bangladesh would play the tournament at all and added that the situation had left players and fans across the country unsure about what lies ahead. He made it clear that he would not answer questions related to the controversy, stating that it was not safe for him to do so.
The issue has been further complicated by the firm stand taken by the Bangladesh government. The country’s sports advisor has reiterated that the national team will not travel to India under any circumstances for the World Cup, even after the ICC reportedly set a January 21 deadline for the board to confirm its participation.
Officials have indicated that if Bangladesh refuses to travel, the ICC could consider replacing them with Scotland, based on current team rankings. The government has rejected the idea of accepting what it described as unreasonable conditions, insisting that Bangladesh cannot be pressured into playing in India. It has also pointed to past instances where venues were changed after teams raised similar concerns.
With positions hardening on both sides, the final decision now rests with the ICC, whose ruling is expected to have major implications for the tournament lineup and scheduling as the T20 World Cup approaches.
