United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday (January 07, 2026) dismissed media reports claiming it had received an ultimatum from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, and said it will continue ‘constructive engagement’ with ICC for T20 World Cup solution.  In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the board termed such reports as ‘completely false and unfounded,’ clarifying that the communication received from the global body was cooperative in nature. The clarification comes amidst a deepening diplomatic and sporting crisis triggered by the exclusion of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, which led Bangladesh to request a venue change for their World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. Read more: ICC to BCB: Play in India or forfeit points “The BCB categorically states that such claims (of an ultimatum) ... do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC,” the media release read. The board confirmed that the ICC has formally responded to Bangladesh's concerns regarding the safety and security of the national team. According to the BCB, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh's ‘full and uninterrupted participation’ and has expressed a willingness to work closely with the board on detailed security planning. The BCB emphasized that it would continue ‘constructive engagement’ with the ICC to reach an “affable and practical solution.” This diplomatic tone comes as a slight shift from the hardline stance seen earlier in the week, where government officials had signaled a potential boycott of the tournament if the venue was not changed. Read more: BCB eyes ICC intervention for World Cup security following Mustafizur’s IPL exit However, the board reiterated that the safety and well-being of the players remain its ‘highest priority.’

Just days after being unceremoniously dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to political pressure, Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman has found a new battleground. The left-arm sensation has officially signed up for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The development was confirmed via the PSL's official social media handles on Tuesday; sharing a photo of the pacer, the league issued a playful warning: “Batsmen beware… Mustafizur Rahman joins HBL PSL 11.” Read more: BCCI asks KKR to release Mustafizur from IPL 2026 squad Mustafizur’s entry into the PSL comes as a direct repost to his exclusion from the IPL. He was set to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who had purchased him for a record BDT 9.20 crore (INR 9.20 crore) after a bidding war with Chennai and Delhi. However, KKR released him last Saturday following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing threats from “extremist groups” and political objections. While the IPL's loss appears to be the PSL's gain, Mustafizur’s specific team in Pakistan is yet to be determined. He will enter the upcoming player draft, where he is expected to be a top pick. This year's PSL, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, will be the tournament's largest edition to date, expanding to eight teams. Read more: “Days of slavery are over”: Bangladesh’s sports adviser reacts strongly to Mustafizur’s IPL exit This year will be Mustafizur’s return to the league after a seven-year hiatus; he previously played for the Lahore Qalandars in 2018, taking 4 wickets in 5 matches.