Bangladesh Coach Slams Former Official After Team Misses T20 World Cup

Bangladesh cricket was rocked after the national team boycotted the 2026 T20 World Cup, and now senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin has publicly criticized former sports advisor Asif Nazrul for misleading claims that affected players’ morale.

Salahuddin revealed that two Bangladesh cricketers went into a mental coma for several days following the team’s withdrawal from the tournament. Nazrul, who served under former interim leader Muhammad Yunus, had defended the country’s decision not to play matches on Indian soil, citing security concerns.

Players’ Dreams Shattered

Speaking ahead of the Bangladesh Cricket League set to start on February 23, Salahuddin expressed his frustration over the impact on young players.

“When a boy goes to play a World Cup, he brings his 27-year-old dream. You destroy that dream in one second,” Salahuddin said. “Personally, two of my players were mentally lost for five days. Bringing them back onto the field in this tournament was itself a big achievement.”

Allegations of Blatant Lies

Salahuddin also criticized Nazrul for allegedly making blatant false claims and reversing his stance on the boycott. Initially, Nazrul stated the decision was made by the Bangladesh government, but later claimed it was a collective choice by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and players to “protect national dignity.”

“He told such blatant lies. I am a teacher, and even teachers lie less. How can someone from Dhaka University say this openly?” Salahuddin said. “He took a U-turn on his earlier statement, and we cannot accept it.”

Why Bangladesh Boycotted the T20 World Cup

The decision to skip the World Cup came amid rising political tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi. A major controversy involved Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was released by his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reportedly at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Bangladesh government cited security and player safety concerns as the primary reason for not sending the team to India. The former administration also imposed an indefinite ban on broadcasting and promotion of the IPL in Bangladesh.

Domestic Alternatives and Upcoming International Matches

While the national team missed the World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board launched the Odommo T20 Cup to give players match practice and maintain domestic competition. Bangladesh is set to return to international cricket in March, facing Pakistan in a high-profile ODI series.