Bangladesh national team senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin has launched a scathing attack on former Youth and Sports adviser Asif Nazrul, accusing him of spreading “blatant lies” over Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. He revealed the emotional toll on the squad, saying the decision shattered the dreams of several players who had prepared for years for a World Cup. “Two cricketers were so devastated that they went into a kind of ‘mental coma’ for several days,” Salahuddin said, describing severe psychological shock. He added that he now struggles to face his players after they were publicly portrayed as responsible for the withdrawal. Bangladesh’s place in the tournament was eventually taken by the Scotland national cricket team, bringing an abrupt end to the Tigers’ World Cup campaign before it began.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 21, 2026 14:00 UTC