The International Cricket Council has firmly dismissed claims made by Asif Nazrul regarding alleged security risks to Bangladesh during the 2026 T20 World Cup, clarifying that no such assessment was ever communicated to the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
The rebuttal follows Nazrul’s assertion at a recent press conference that the ICC had acknowledged heightened security threats for Bangladesh under specific conditions linked to player selection, fan behaviour, and the country’s domestic political calendar. According to Nazrul, the ICC’s supposed findings validated concerns raised by the Bangladeshi government and cricket authorities about the tournament being hosted in India.
However, the ICC moved swiftly to contradict this account. In an official clarification, the governing body stated that no such scenarios or warnings were shared with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and that the tournament will continue as per the existing schedule. The ICC reiterated that its comprehensive security assessment for the T20 World Cup in India categorises the overall risk as “low to moderate”, a standard rating for large-scale international sporting events.
Sources familiar with the assessment process said that independent evaluations conducted for the tournament found no specific or credible threats directed at the Bangladesh team, its officials, or match venues in India. The ICC also underlined that its security protocols apply uniformly to all participating nations and are reviewed continuously in coordination with host authorities.
Nazrul had earlier claimed that the ICC had outlined three hypothetical conditions under which risks could increase, including the inclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the squad, Bangladeshi fans wearing national jerseys in public, and the proximity of Bangladesh’s national elections. These claims drew sharp reactions, as they implied restrictions that would be unprecedented in international cricket.
The ICC’s denial has effectively undercut that narrative, placing the Bangladeshi sports leadership in an uncomfortable position amid already strained political relations between the two countries. Officials within the ICC have emphasised that all teams are expected to honour their Terms of Participation, and that security arrangements will be handled through established channels rather than public speculation.
The governing body is expected to issue a more detailed communication in the coming days to formally restate its position and address concerns raised by stakeholders, but for now, the ICC has made it clear that there has been no change in its security evaluation or tournament planning.
