The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly declined the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift their T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside India amid security concerns.
According to media reports, a virtual meeting on Tuesday between ICC officials and the BCB indicated that Bangladesh would be required to play its scheduled fixtures in India. Some outlets even claimed that the team could risk losing points if it refused to travel. However, the BCB was quick to dismiss such claims, stating that no ultimatum regarding point deductions was issued.
The BCB’s letter to the ICC, sent on Sunday, had asked the global governing body to “consider” relocating Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue. While the ICC reportedly turned down the request, discussions between the two boards are ongoing. So far, neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the BCB has issued an official statement summarizing the outcome.
Bangladesh is placed in Group C for the T20 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Their group-stage fixtures are as follows:
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh vs West Indies | Feb 7 | Kolkata |
| Bangladesh vs Italy | Feb 9 | Kolkata |
| Bangladesh vs England | Feb 14 | Kolkata |
| Bangladesh vs Nepal | Feb 17 | Mumbai |
Unless there’s a last-minute reversal, Bangladesh will travel to both Kolkata and Mumbai for their group matches.
The venue dispute comes shortly after controversy surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman in the Indian Premier League. Mustafizur, the only Bangladeshi player picked in the 2026 IPL auction, was released from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad following instructions from the BCCI. The IPL Governing Council did not meet formally to review the case, raising questions about who authorized the decision.
Despite these tensions, the ICC has assured Bangladesh that the team’s participation in the T20 World Cup will proceed without disruption. The governing body has welcomed suggestions from the BCB regarding security measures and emphasized a willingness to cooperate closely to ensure the safety of the players during the tournament.
With the clock ticking down to the start of the tournament, fans and players alike will be watching closely as Bangladesh gears up to face West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal in India.
