Ban denied Playing the T20 WC in Ind, Citing Security Concerns, But Their Umpire Is Umpiring

Описание: Ban denied Playing the T20 WC in Ind, Citing Security Concerns, But Their Umpire Is Umpiring in India
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The Bangladesh national team withdrew from the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns, but a prominent Bangladeshi umpire, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat, has indeed been officiating matches in India during the same period.
The Context of the Boycott
Bangladesh officially withdrew from the tournament after the ICC rejected their request to move their matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka.
Stated Reason: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the interim government cited "genuine security risks" for their players, staff, and fans.
The Trigger: The BCB linked their safety concerns to a specific incident where pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from his IPL 2026 contract by Kolkata Knight Riders following alleged threats from fringe groups in India.
ICC Response: The ICC conducted independent security assessments and concluded there was "no credible threat" to Bangladeshi personnel, subsequently replacing Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament.
The Umpiring Controversy
The decision has faced public criticism for perceived inconsistency because Bangladeshi officials have remained on duty within India throughout the standoff.
Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat: A member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires, Saikat officiated in the India vs New Zealand ODI series in January 2026 and was recently seen as an on-field umpire for the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup warm-up match on February 4, 2026, in Navi Mumbai.
BCB’s Defense: The BCB clarified that Saikat is an ICC-contracted official, not a BCB employee, and works independently of the board for international assignments. Under his contract, he is automatically released for ICC duty and does not require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Bangladesh board.
Umpiring Panel: Despite the team's boycott, Saikat and fellow Bangladeshi umpire Gazi Sohel remain on the official 24-member panel for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Wider Implications
Financial Impact: Bangladesh is expected to suffer significant financial losses, estimated at approximately ₹240 crore (USD 28 million), due to their withdrawal.
Regional Tension: Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirming on February 5, 2026, that Pakistan will boycott their scheduled match against India on February 15.