Shakib Al Hasan has characterized the Bangladesh government's decision to withdraw from the 2026 T20 World Cup in India as a "blunder" and a major loss for the nation. Speaking in Mumbai on April 29, 2026, he expressed optimism that relations between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would improve under the country’s new leadership. The relationship became strained after the previous interim government cited security concerns and refused to allow the national team to travel to India for the World Cup.
The conflict escalated when the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman earlier in 2026, which the BCB used as a primary reason to claim India was "unsafe". Shakib believes the upcoming series, possibly a white-ball tour in August or September 2026 will help "break the ice" and normalize ties. He welcomed the appointment of former teammate Tamim Iqbal as the new BCB president, hoping his long-term vision would benefit Bangladesh cricket.
“I think things will start to get better... A new government came in. I think they'll take the right decision in terms of cricket. Also, our cricket board election is supposed to happen sometime soon. Once that happens, I think they'll have good communication with not only India but also with all other boards. They'll have a fruitful discussion, and they'll take things forward."
#WATCH | Mumbai | On relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and India, Bangladeshi International Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan says, "I think things will start to get better... A new government came in. I think they'll take the right decision in terms of cricket. Also, our… pic.twitter.com/h0bjd8doE8
— ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2026
BCCI and BCB’s strained relationships
The relationship between the BCCI and BCB reached a historic low in early 2026, primarily due to political friction that led to Bangladesh's unprecedented withdrawal from the 2026 T20 World Cup. The BCCI reportedly directed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract. In response, the BCB, acting on government orders, refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, citing "security concerns.”
The BCB has sent a formal letter to the BCCI seeking to revive bilateral ties and collaborate on future initiatives. Former captain Tamim Iqbal has taken over as the interim BCB president. Shakib Al Hasan recently expressed hope that Tamim's leadership would help rebuild trust with the BCCI.
