Bangladesh Faces Setback as Popular Indian Cricket Equipment Company May End Sponsorship

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have now begun to impact cricket off the field as well. Reports indicate that a well-known Merut-based cricket equipment company may terminate its sponsorship deals with Bangladeshi players.

Background
Relations between the two nations have been strained recently, with political and social issues escalating tensions. In cricket, this friction became evident when BCCI intervened to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman, who had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Following this, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, citing security concerns, despite ICC’s insistence that the matches be held in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board also banned the IPL within the country.

Sponsorship Impact
Now, according to media reports, the Indian cricket equipment brand could end its sponsorship with several Bangladeshi players. Among those affected are captain Liton Das, who uses the company’s bat, and players Mominul Haque and Yasir Rabby, who rely on the brand’s equipment.

Upcoming T20 World Cup Fixtures
Bangladesh is placed in Group C for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, alongside West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal. Their group-stage matches are scheduled as follows:

• February 7: vs West Indies (Kolkata)
• February 9: vs England (Kolkata)
• February 14: vs Italy (Kolkata)
• February 17: vs Nepal (Mumbai)

Bangladesh Squad for T20 World Cup 2026:
Liton Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hussain Emon, Saif Hasan, Tauhid Hridoy, Shamim Hussain, Qazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hussain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shorful Islam.

This development could be a significant blow for Bangladesh cricket, affecting both the players’ equipment sponsorships and their preparation ahead of the World Cup.