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Bangladesh Test captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto has delivered an important message to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following the country’s withdrawal from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Shanto openly expressed concern over the deteriorating off-field environment, warning that administrative issues are seriously harming Bangladesh cricket.

Speaking at a press conference after a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match, Shanto said that problems outside the field have damaged the game over the past one to two years.

“As a player, I feel the off-field environment has caused significant harm to cricket in the last year or two. I urge those responsible to sit together, find solutions, and ensure the game continues smoothly. Without proper governance and a clear roadmap, uncertainty will only grow and affect both players and cricket,” Shanto said.

Shanto stressed the importance of keeping administrative disputes away from the game itself. He warned that continued conflicts within cricket administration could hurt Bangladesh’s competitiveness and long-term progress.

He also advised the BCB that if Bangladesh is unable to participate in the T20 World Cup, it should focus on organizing strong and well-structured domestic tournaments to keep players competitive and fans engaged.

Highlighting domestic cricket, especially in Dhaka, Shanto said tournaments must be better planned and more professionally managed than in previous years. According to him, consistent and high-quality domestic competitions are essential to maintain player development during uncertain times.

Bangladesh had requested the ICC to move its 2026 T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected the request after reviewing the situation. Following this, the Bangladesh government declined to allow the team to travel, leading to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.

The ICC has since confirmed Scotland as Bangladesh’s replacement for the T20 World Cup 2026.