ICC Rejects Bangladesh's Request to Shift T20 WC Matches Out of India
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata
Dhaka: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
The report said a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday between ICC and BCB officials, during which the ICC informed the board that the request was being turned down. The ICC reportedly told the BCB that Bangladesh’s senior men’s team would need to travel to India to play their scheduled matches or risk forfeiting points.
No official statement has yet been issued by either the ICC or the BCB on the outcome of the call. The meeting was arranged after the BCB wrote to the ICC on Sunday seeking a relocation of Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on February 7 against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will then face Italy on February 9 at the same venue, followed by a clash against 2022 champions England, also in Kolkata.
After their matches in Kolkata, Bangladesh are set to travel to Mumbai to play Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium. The tournament itself will begin on February 7 with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands in Colombo.
Earlier, the BCB had formally requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India, stating that the team would not travel due to “safety and security” concerns. The board said the tournament, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, raised serious concerns for the Bangladesh contingent.
In a press release, the BCB said an emergency meeting of its board of directors was held to review recent developments related to the World Cup. The board expressed deep concern over the circumstances surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be played in India.
“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 resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the release stated.
The developments come amid broader tensions following the decision by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to remove Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. The move followed a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the franchise had been instructed to release the player due to recent developments, adding that KKR would be allowed a replacement if required. The inclusion of a Bangladeshi player had triggered political backlash in India amid reports of attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh.
Mustafizur Rahman had been picked by KKR for Rs 9.20 crore during the IPL 2026 auction held in December.
