Bangladesh have joined Pakistan in boycotting India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. While Pakistan’s refusal to play in India is based on the diplomatic tension between the countries, the other neighbour has opted out of playing on Indian soil due to the recent exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had on Saturday released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur from its squad at the instruction of the BCCI. Last month, protests were held in front of the High Commission in New Delhi, after a Hindu factory worker in Bangladesh was allegedly beaten and set on fire.

The incident strained the relations between India and Bangladesh, and the Mutsafizur exclusion worsened the situation. “Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken this decision today," Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Sports, said in a statement. "We welcome this decision taken in the context of the extreme communal policy of India's cricket board,” Nazrul said.

The BCB held an emergency meeting after KKR made the announcement. The Bangladesh government has reportedly requested the BCB to ask the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka due to concerns over player safety.

Pakistan will be playing their matches in Sri Lanka. Last year, the ICC allowed India to play the Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates when Pakistan hosted the event. Bangladesh are in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and the West Indies, and was scheduled to play their opener against the Windies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bangaldesh's last group match was set to be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The World Cup will begin on February 7 and end on March 8.

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