The escalating dispute between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the BCCI has moved beyond the boardroom and into the commercial sector, with major Indian sports manufacturer Sanspareils Greenlands (SG) reportedly ending its sponsorship of several top Bangladeshi cricketers.
According to sources at Telecom Asia Sport, the brand has decided not to renew deals with key national team batters, including captain Litton Das, Yasir Rabbi, and Mominul Haque. While an official announcement is still pending, one affected player confirmed to reporters that agents have already indicated a split is imminent, stating, "It looks that is likely to be the case in the coming days."
This commercial fallout is the direct result of a rapid deterioration in relations that began when the BCCI allegedly directed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release pacer Mustafizur Rahman. In a series of retaliatory moves, the Bangladesh Ministry of Information subsequently banned the broadcast of the league within the country.
The standoff reached a peak when the BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate their 2026 T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns and a refusal to face "national humiliation."
The withdrawal of SG is causing dire concern within the Bangladesh sports industry, as Indian manufacturers currently dominate the country's equipment market. Industry sources warn of a potential "domino effect," where other Indian brands may also choose to boycott Bangladeshi players, leaving a massive financial void.
If Indian brands exit entirely, market dynamics could shift toward manufacturers in Pakistan, which currently holds a smaller presence in Dhaka but may view the vacancy as a strategic opportunity to expand.
The uncertainty is taking a visible toll on the mental well-being of the players and the foreign coaching staff. A senior BCB official admitted that the squad is "quite tense" as they await clarity on their World Cup participation.
Former captain Tamim Iqbal has criticized the board's public handling of the crisis, urging for internal stability. "If you announce every step publicly, it creates unnecessary uncertainty," Tamim said, emphasizing that the BCB should prioritize the long-term interests of the players over emotional public reactions.
As it stands, the ICC has not yet granted the BCB’s request to move their fixtures. Bangladesh remains scheduled to open their T20 World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, followed by games against Italy and England in the same city, before traveling to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17.
The BCB has officially distanced itself from the sponsorship crisis, labeling it a private matter between the athletes and their brands, even as players reach out to board officials daily for guidance on their financial and professional futures.
