Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup has become uncertain after a decision not to travel to India due to security concerns. The tenth edition of the tournament is set to begin next month, with all of Bangladesh’s group-stage matches scheduled to be played in India. Following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance on not going, the team is now waiting for a response from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In this situation, former Bangladesh national team captain Tamim Iqbal said that any decision should be taken by considering Bangladesh’s position in world cricket and the country’s long-term future. He also remarked that major institutions cannot be run based solely on public emotions.

Tamim made these comments today at the City Club ground in the capital during the jersey unveiling ceremony of the Zia Inter-University Cricket Tournament, organized by the Jatiyatabadi Krira Dal. He was joined on stage by several others, including the organization’s convener, Grandmaster Niaz Morshed.

Tamim did not directly support or oppose the BCB’s decision to keep the national team from traveling to India due to security risks. Speaking to journalists, he explained what approach he would have taken if he were in the board’s position.
“I would decide with the future in mind,” Tamim said. “Many things are happening right now, and commenting at this moment is complicated. But one thing is clear—many issues can be resolved through discussion. I would consider where Bangladesh stands in world cricket and what the future could look like before making any decision.”

The decision not to play in India reportedly followed a firm position taken by the government. However, Tamim believes that while the government’s opinion is important, the cricket board must also have its own independent stance.
“We consider the BCB an autonomous body,” he said. “The government is obviously a major stakeholder, and discussions are necessary. But if we truly see the board as independent, it must also be capable of making its own decisions. If the board believes a certain decision is right, then it should stand by it.”

Highlighting the need for realism over emotion, Tamim added that public sentiment often drives strong reactions, but long-term consequences must be prioritized.
“If decisions are made purely based on emotions, you cannot run a large organization,” he said. “You have to think about how today’s decision will affect Bangladesh cricket and its players over the next 10 years.”

The situation escalated after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Indian Premier League. Following threats from extremist groups in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release him.

This incident raised concerns in Bangladesh about whether India could ensure the safety of the national team and officials if a single player’s security could not be guaranteed. As a result, the BCB decided against traveling to India and has requested that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be shifted to Sri Lanka.

Commenting on Mustafizur’s exclusion from the IPL, Tamim said, “There is no doubt that removing Mustafizur from the IPL was extremely unfortunate.”