Pakistan refuses to play India on Feb 15 Pakistan announced it will boycott the ICC Twenty20 World Cup fixture slated for February 15 in Colombo, citing political tensions with India, intensifying the tournament’s controversy [2].
Bangladesh’s venue request denied, replaced by Scotland The Bangladesh Cricket Board asked the ICC to move its four opening matches out of India over security concerns, but the ICC declined, resulting in Scotland taking Bangladesh’s spot in Group C [3].
Kolkata Knight Riders pressured to drop Mustafizur Rahman The BCCI urged Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad, a decision linked to reactions over anti‑Hindu attacks in Bangladesh and that sparked a domino effect on tournament arrangements [4].
ICC grouped India and Pakistan for commercial gain The ICC scheduled India and Pakistan in the same group, a move critics say aims to guarantee high‑profile matches and maximize broadcast revenue despite escalating political friction [1].
Tournament set to start Feb 7 amid tensions The ICC Twenty20 World Cup is scheduled to commence on February 7, but ongoing disputes among India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have left Asian cricket solidarity fractured [1].
Historical split fuels current Bangladesh‑Pakistan dynamics Bangladesh’s 1971 independence from Pakistan and recent conservative political shifts, including a former prime minister seeking asylum in India, influence Pakistan’s current stance toward Bangladesh, adding a historical layer to the sporting dispute [1].