Asif Nazrul held responsible for Bangladesh's T20 World Cup absence

Bangladesh did not participate in the last ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 following a decision by former youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul, according to a report published by an inquiry committee on Tuesday.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Youth and Sports earlier formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate why the national cricket team withdrew from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The three-member committee was headed by Dr A.K.M. Oli Ullah, additional secretary of the youth and sports ministry’s administration wing. Its other member was former national captain Habibul Bashar, who is currently Bangladesh’s chief selector.

The committee was tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding Bangladesh’s decision to miss the tournament and the roles played by the relevant authorities.

According to a report by the three-member committee formed to investigate why the team missed the tournament, it was found that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) supported the decision taken by the sports ministry, headed by Nazrul at the time, not to send the team to the World Cup.

Barrister Faisal Dastgir, a member of the committee, during a press conference at the National Sports Council (NSC) on Tuesday said that the investigation had identified Nazrul as the person responsible for Bangladesh’s absence from the tournament. It is to be noted that Nazrul had claimed the players were fully aware of the situation and accepted it.

“Based on what emerged from the investigation, our discussions with the relevant people, media reports and everything else, it can be said that the person responsible for not going to the World Cup was then youth and sports adviser Asif Nazrul. The government at the time and he were responsible,” said Faisal, adding that Bangladesh should have participated in the World Cup.

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