India, Jan. 4 -- Bangladesh cricket has taken a strong stand ahead of the T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has decided not to send its team to India for the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7. The move follows a major controversy involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman and has added fresh uncertainty to the global event.

Player safety, political pressure, and cricket diplomacy are now closely intertwined in a decision that could significantly alter the World Cup schedule.

Bangladesh's youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed the decision on Sunday after a meeting of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. "Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup, it was decided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board today," he wrote on ...