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BULAWAYO: The Group B clash in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup at Queens Sports Club on Saturday began on an unusually sour note, as India captain Ayush Mhatre and Bangladesh vice-captain Zawad Abrar avoided the customary handshake after the toss.
Abrar, standing in for Bangladesh captain Md Azizul Hakim Tamim, who missed the match due to illness, won the toss and opted to field, citing the damp conditions following rain.
However, the absence of the traditional pre-match greeting between the two leaders was the key talking point, coming amid escalating tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The strain between the two boards has intensified after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL squad, citing directives from the BCCI.
The decision triggered a strong response from the BCB, which subsequently announced that Bangladesh’s national men’s team would not travel to India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing security concerns.
The BCB then took the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), formally requesting a change of venue for Bangladesh’s matches. The board has insisted that its team should play in Sri Lanka, the co-host nation, instead of India.
Adding to the diplomatic fallout, the Bangladesh government announced a ban on coverage of the IPL in the country, further deepening the rift between the two cricketing nations.
As of now, the ICC has not made a final decision regarding Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures.
The governing body has offered to shift venues, but only within India, citing logistical challenges that make a move outside the country difficult.
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