Several Bangladeshi cricketers have reportedly reacted sharply to the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) stance to remain rigid on their decision not go to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, despite the ICC’s threat of replacing them if they don’t agree.

According to Cricbuzz, a discussion between cricketers and key stakeholders left players feeling as if they had been told of an already made decision rather than advised on one that was still in play.

The dressing room's displeasure, in private and in whispers, is less about the conclusion than the path to it—a sense that the traditional "sit-and-hear-us" ethos has been replaced by a top-down instruction system, with players reduced to recipients of a pre-written script.  

“The meeting was called not to give our consent, as it was made out to be initially. Rather, we were called so that we are aware of the development in the ongoing crisis. They made up their mind and decided what they will do before coming into the meeting, and it's not like any decision was taken taking our views into consideration,” said a cricketer on condition of anonymity, as reported by Cricbuzz.

“They didn't ask. They made the plan directly and said it's not happening. Earlier, they would sit with us and hear us out. But now, they've already said we're not going. The thing is, Bangladesh's government call was already made, and nothing else but that's the real story. It was a direct order from the government—it's not happening,” he added.

Bangladesh team players believe that the team is ready and prepared for the tournament, but the decision-making chain has moved beyond cricket logic into security and state policy.

It was said that at the meeting, white-ball skipper Litton Das and Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stepped out and stated that they were prepared to compete in the event.

Following the discussion, Nazrul told reporters that Bangladesh would not modify its attitude and accused the ICC of failing to provide "proper justice," noting that neither the ICC nor the Indian government had taken any substantial steps to resolve Bangladesh's specific issues.

Officials from the administration and BCB brought attention to earlier instances in which Bangladeshi players were threatened. They expanded the issue beyond the team and framed it as a risk to the entire event by citing security issues as well as the safety of journalists and spectators.

“Cricket is finished. If we don't go, it will be our cricket's loss. Who cares?” said another cricketer on request of anonymity.

The cricketers were also notified that the BCCI had not contacted them, prompting officials to ask how a team could be dispatched under such conditions.

“Bangladesh is supposed to go, but now if they act like this, how can a country send a team?” the source said.

BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul offered reassurance, but it had little effect on the players, who, despite expressing their opinions, appeared to believe the conclusion was predetermined.

“What can he (Aminul) say apart from giving us comfort mentally, and we know and understand his situation very well. We did give our opinion, but we understood from the beginning that they had already decided that we're not going to play the World Cup in India,” he added.

Attending the meeting, a team management member expressed sympathy for the players, who had put in a lot of preparation for the main event.

“I feel sorry for the cricketers because they are the ones who have put up a lot of effort to develop as a formidable T20I unit, and you cannot deny our recent results validate the claim. We can only hope thi,s too shall pass,” the member stated.

(Cricbuzz inputs)