Dhaka’s cricket circles are buzzing with uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, hosted across India and Sri Lanka. Fast bowler Shariful Islam, fresh off clinching the Player of the Season award in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), has urged teammates to stay laser-focused on their game amid swirling rumors of a boycott.
In a candid interview with local media, Shariful emphasized that players can only control their on-field performances. ‘Our job is to perform in matches. Whether we go to the World Cup or not isn’t in our hands,’ he stated bluntly, highlighting the limitations athletes face in geopolitical decisions.
The backdrop to this drama is the deteriorating relations between Bangladesh and India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has firmly declared it will not send its team to India for the tournament, citing grave security concerns. They had requested their matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, but the International Cricket Council (ICC) stood firm on Wednesday, insisting the schedule remains unchanged with Bangladesh’s games set in India.
Shariful acknowledged the mental toll of such uncertainty ahead of a marquee event. ‘It’s challenging, no doubt. But decisions like this are out of our control. Our cricket authorities have made their call, and we respect it,’ he said. Instead of dwelling on unknowns, he advocated channeling energy into skill improvement. ‘Everyone tries their best, and that’s what I’m doing.’
This stance comes as Bangladesh grapples with broader diplomatic tensions that have spilled into sports. Cricket fans in Dhaka are left wondering if their team will feature in the global showpiece, or if politics will once again trump passion on the pitch. For now, players like Shariful are doubling down on preparation, hoping clarity emerges soon.
The BPL triumph has boosted Shariful’s confidence, positioning him as a key pace asset. Yet, without resolution on the World Cup front, Bangladesh’s preparations hang in limbo. As the ICC deadline looms, all eyes are on whether cooler heads prevail or if an unprecedented boycott unfolds.