Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has taken another dramatic turn, with the country’s sports advisor, Asif Nazrul, making a notable U-turn on who was responsible for the decision.

On Tuesday, Nazrul claimed that the call to boycott the tournament was taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the players, a statement that contradicts his earlier remarks, which squarely placed the responsibility on the interim government.

The controversy dates back to January 22, when Bangladesh’s interim government, through Nazrul, publicly announced that the national team would not travel to India for the T20 World Cup. The announcement came amid heightened political tensions following the student movement in July 2025, which led to the fall of the Awami League government and the formation of an interim administration that adopted a tougher stance towards India.

On the same day as the announcement, Nazrul met Bangladesh’s cricketers after senior batter Litton Das said players had not been consulted about the decision. Following that meeting, Nazrul made it clear that the boycott was a government call, describing the interaction with players as a briefing rather than a consultation.

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“The purpose of the meeting was simply to explain to the players why the government took this decision and give them the context. I believe they understood. That was the purpose, nothing else. Whether we will play in the World Cup or not is entirely a government decision,” Nazrul had said at the time, adding that Bangladesh had not received “justice” from the ICC.

However, less than three weeks later, Nazrul distanced the government from the decision altogether. On February 10, he said the boycott was a joint decision taken by the BCB and the players, calling it a sacrifice made in the interest of national dignity, public safety and the future of Bangladesh cricket.

“There is no question of regret. This decision was taken by the BCB and the players as a sacrifice for the safety of the country’s cricket, the safety of the people and to protect national dignity. The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. This is a brilliant achievement,” Nazrul told reporters, while praising the BCB.

The reversal has raised eyebrows, especially given the widespread belief that Nazrul played a central role in pushing for the boycott. With little time left before the tournament, the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland, bringing the Tigers’ World Cup campaign to an abrupt end before it even began.