World Cup Withdrawal Probe
Inquiry Committee Blames Former Sports Adviser For Bangladesh World Cup Absence
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Key Points
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The inquiry panel was a three-member body led by Youth and Sports Ministry additional secretary Dr. A.K.M. Oli Ullah, with former Bangladesh captain and chief selector Habibul Bashar and Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Dastgir as members.
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The probe panel was formed by the National Sports Council in March, and its findings were released more than eight months after Bangladesh declined to travel to the tournament.
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Nazrul questioned the need for the investigation, writing that he had already publicly acknowledged several times that the decision was his own: “I do not understand why the Ministry of Youth and Sports investigated the matter and published its findings after so long.”
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The committee said the players were compelled to follow the government’s decision, contrasting with Nazrul’s claim that the players were fully aware of the circumstances and accepted the withdrawal.
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Nazrul said an ICC security assessment identified three specific risk factors in India: Mustafizur Rahman’s presence in Bangladesh’s squad, unrestricted movement by Bangladeshi supporters, and the political situation in Bangladesh ahead of the election.
A Bangladesh government inquiry has blamed former sports adviser Asif Nazrul for the country's decision to withdraw from the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, according to ANI News. The three-member panel concluded Nazrul was primarily responsible, though the interim government also shared responsibility. The committee found that Bangladesh's players were ready to travel and the cricket board supported participation, but ultimately the team did not compete—Cricket Addictor reports Scotland replaced Bangladesh in the tournament.
Nazrul Defends His Withdrawal Decision
Nazrul acknowledged making the decision personally but defended it on multiple grounds, Zee News reports. He cited the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, alleged pressure from Hindu nationalist groups, and security concerns. Nazrul claimed an ICC security assessment identified three specific risk factors: Mustafizur's presence in Bangladesh's squad, unrestricted movement by supporters, and Bangladesh's tense political situation before elections.
Nazrul said Bangladesh sought to move its matches to another venue and received support from some countries, according to Hindustan Times. However, he claimed those efforts failed because of India's influence within the ICC. Nazrul also questioned why the investigation happened at all, noting he had publicly acknowledged the decision was his own:
Panel Disputes Claims About Player Readiness
The inquiry committee directly contradicted Nazrul's account of player involvement. The panel said players were compelled to follow the government's decision, ANI News reports. This contrasts sharply with Nazrul's claim that players were fully aware of the circumstances and accepted the withdrawal voluntarily. The committee maintained that Bangladesh should have participated in the tournament.
Investigation Took Eight Months to Complete
The National Sports Council formed the inquiry panel in March. The three-member body was led by Youth and Sports Ministry additional secretary Dr. A.K.M. Oli Ullah, with former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar and Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Dastgir as members, Cricket Addictor reports. Its findings were released more than eight months after Bangladesh declined to travel to the tournament. The delayed investigation frustrated Nazrul, who questioned the prolonged timeline without clear explanation.
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