Bangladesh’s T20I captain, Litton Das, has reignited the discussion about his country’s decision to withdraw from the 2026 T20 World Cup, openly questioning the security concerns that prompted the move. As one of the most seasoned cricketers in Bangladesh and the current leader of the white-ball team, Das expressed that the players were eager to compete in the tournament and didn’t support the idea of sitting it out. His comments have once again cast doubt on the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s position and sparked new inquiries about how the final decision was reached.
He pointed to Bangladesh’s past tours of Pakistan, as he said, “They told us there was no safety in that country (India). We told them, we have played in Pakistan too. They used to stand outside the room with guns. What can be more dangerous than that? If we can play in Pakistan, why not India.”
This controversy traces back to the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh had requested to move its matches out of India due to security worries. However, the International Cricket Council conducted its own evaluation and found no credible threats. After turning down Bangladesh’s request to relocate the matches, the ICC ultimately replaced the team with Scotland when the board opted not to participate under the original terms.
“We Only Went There to Participate and Have Tea” – Litton Das on T20 World Cup Withdrawal Talks
Litton has pushed back against the idea that players had a say in the decision-making process.
Reflecting on a meeting with government officials and cricket administrators back in January, “There was never a question. We only went there to participate and have tea. It was merely a media stunt. So, we too had the same mindset.”
He stated that players weren’t asked to sway the outcome and showed up without any belief that their opinions would impact the final decision. His remarks stand in stark contrast to previous claims that the withdrawal was a joint decision made by both the players and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. These latest comments highlight a noticeable disconnect between the team’s stance and the board’s ultimate actions.
“We Played Cricket in Pakistan Where They Stood Outside With Guns” – Litton Das About Security Concerns
The captain of Bangladesh had some strong words regarding the security concerns. Litton expressed that the players were eager to play cricket and didn’t view India as any riskier than other places they’ve already visited. He highlighted their trips to Pakistan, where they faced heavy security, including armed guards outside their accommodations.
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In his opinion, “We wanted to play cricket. But they questioned safety in India. I said that we played cricket in Pakistan, where they used to stand with guns outside the room. What could be more dangerous than that? But this was their call; we had no say as players.”
By making that comparison, Litton raised the question of why Bangladesh could compete in Pakistan but not in India, emphasizing that the players were more than ready to participate in this global event.
“Does He Hold Any Post Now?” – Litton Das Hits Back at Former Sports Advisor
Litton didn’t hold back when responding to former interim sports adviser Asif Nazrul, who suggested that both players and officials were on board with the boycott.
The Bangladesh captain firmly dismissed that narrative as he asked, “Does he hold any post now? That is why he said those things.”
Months after Bangladesh missed out on the tournament and Scotland stepped in, Litton’s remarks have sparked fresh scrutiny regarding the withdrawal and brought to light the ongoing conversation about communication among players, administrators, and government officials.
