Bangladesh's decision to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in India has triggered a wave of reactions, with a former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official reportedly labeling the team a "troublemaker". The controversy stems from security concerns raised by the BCB regarding playing matches in India, leading to a request for a venue shift to Sri Lanka.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) deemed the security concerns unsubstantiated after conducting its own assessments. Despite the ICC's assurances and rejection of the venue change, the BCB remained firm in its decision to boycott the tournament, a move that has led to considerable backlash. The ICC has since confirmed that Scotland will replace Bangladesh in Group C of the T20 World Cup.

Amjad Hossain, a BCB director, stated that the boycott was a government decision based on the perceived security risks for the Bangladesh contingent in India. According to Hossain, the government informed the BCB that playing in India would not be safe and that the request to play matches in Sri Lanka was not addressed by the ICC. He clarified that the BCB wanted to participate in the T20 World Cup but had to abide by the government's directive.

Reports indicate that the decision to boycott the tournament was made after a cabinet meeting involving high-ranking government officials. While the BCB has accepted the ICC's decision to replace them with Scotland, the situation has sparked debate and criticism.

Adding another layer to the situation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Mohsin Naqvi, has voiced his concerns, stating that Bangladesh has been treated unfairly and that one country should not dictate to another. Naqvi mentioned that the PCB is awaiting the government's order on whether to participate in the T20 World Cup. He also suggested that the ICC should consider a hybrid model for Bangladesh, similar to the one between Pakistan and India.

The dispute between New Delhi and Dhaka reportedly escalated after the Indian cricket board instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders, an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, to release Mustafizur Rahman, a Bangladeshi fast bowler. This decision followed outrage from right-wing Hindu groups in India, citing alleged attacks on a Hindu community in Bangladesh.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence on February 7. The absence of Bangladesh, a significant stakeholder in international cricket, raises questions about the relationship between politics and sports in South Asia.