The International Cricket Council (ICC) is understood to be open to considering the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to move Bangladesh’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India, with Sri Lanka emerging as the most likely alternative venue.
While no formal decision has yet been taken, sources indicate that the ICC is not opposed in principle to relocating Bangladesh’s fixtures, a move that would require minor adjustments to the tournament schedule in the coming days.
Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play all four of their Group C matches in India, with three games allocated to Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and one to the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The group also includes England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.
ICC yet to meet formally, but discussions underway
The ICC has not convened an official meeting on the matter, partly due to the timing of the request, but early discussions suggest flexibility from the world body. Any shift would see Bangladesh’s matches moved to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside India.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to run from February 7 to March 8, across venues in both India and Sri Lanka.
BCB refuse travel to India under current conditions
The potential relocation follows an emergency meeting of the BCB in Dhaka, after which the board unanimously decided that the Bangladesh national team would not travel to India for the tournament under the current circumstances.
“Following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India, and considering advice from the Bangladesh Government, the board of directors resolved that the national team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the BCB said in a statement.
The board added that it had formally requested the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh’s matches outside India, and urged the governing body to reach a decision at the earliest.
Mustafizur Rahman IPL episode triggers fallout
The situation escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, citing “recent developments”. No detailed explanation was provided, but the decision sparked strong reactions in Bangladesh and intensified concerns around player security.
Bangladesh officials privately indicated that the IPL episode played a key role in prompting the emergency BCB meeting and subsequent stance on World Cup travel.
Schedule disruption possible, but tournament not under threat
If approved, the relocation would require tweaking of match dates and venues, but the ICC is confident that logistical adjustments can be managed without delaying the tournament. Sri Lanka already hosts all of Pakistan’s matches under an existing ICC-brokered arrangement, meaning the infrastructure for such changes is in place.
Bangladesh’s original fixtures include:
- v West Indies – February 7, Kolkata
- v Italy – February 9, Kolkata
- v England – February 14, Kolkata
- v Nepal – February 17, Mumbai
Any revised schedule is expected to be communicated once the ICC completes internal consultations.
ICC decision awaited
The ICC has so far refrained from public comment, but with the tournament less than five weeks away, a decision is expected soon. The outcome could set an important precedent for how future multi-host tournaments handle security-related concerns raised by participating nations.
For now, Bangladesh remain committed to competing in the T20 World Cup, but only in an environment they believe ensures the safety and wellbeing of their players and support staff.
