The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has imposed new entry restrictions at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium amid controversy over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2026.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is once again in the limelight after releasing new guidelines for entry at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. This comes amid the ongoing controversy following Bangladesh’s exclusion from the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, slated to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
As per the new guidelines, restrictions have been imposed on journalists and other people for entering the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. The BCB announced the updated rules on Saturday, saying they are effective immediately and apply to everyone entering the stadium, including media personnel.
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The board said the move is part of enhanced security measures at the stadium and surrounding areas. Under the new regulations, journalists will be allowed entry only through Gate 1, and access will be restricted to specific occasions such as match days, official press conferences, BCB-organised events, or selected training sessions that are communicated in advance.
The BCB asked for cooperation from media and other stakeholders, saying the changes are necessary to ensure safety, security, and smooth operations at the stadium and BCB offices.
“As part of the ongoing security enhancement measures at the Sher-e- Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) and its surrounding premises, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to advise that revised entry regulations are being introduced, which will be effective from now on,” the BCB said in a statement.
“These measures will be applicable to all persons, including the media representatives, entering the stadium complex,” the statement further read.
Why is Bangladesh not playing T20 World Cup?
Bangladesh have been replaced by Scotland for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7. The International Cricket Council (ICC) made the decision after Bangladesh refused to travel to India due to security concerns.
Despite multiple meetings between ICC and BCB officials and repeated assurances, Bangladesh did not change their stance, leading the apex body to make the difficult decision to exclude them from the tournament.
The BCB’s refusal to play in India stemmed from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asking Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026. The BCCI did not provide any official reason, but the move was apparently influenced by political pressure related to attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
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Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player sold in the IPL 2026 auction. His ouster angered the Bangladesh government, which banned the broadcast of IPL in the country and instructed BCB to boycott the World Cup in India.
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