The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to respond soon to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding a request linked to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The BCB had formally asked the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches out of India, citing security concerns, and suggested Sri Lanka as an alternative host. However, the ICC is unlikely to approve this request.
Why Did BCB Ask for a Venue Change?
Bangladesh’s request came after fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders during the IPL, following communication from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
After this development, the BCB raised concerns and officially approached the ICC to shift their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka.
At present, Bangladesh are scheduled to play their group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
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ICC’s Stand: India Remains the Preferred Host
According to the latest developments, the ICC is not in favor of moving Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. Instead, two alternative venues within India have been suggested:
| Proposed Venues | State |
|---|---|
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala |
Earlier, Chennai was not fully accepted by the BCB. BCB president Aminul Islam stated that the board cannot take a final call on its own and must consult the Bangladesh government before agreeing to any venue change.
Bangladesh Government Wants Direct Talks
The Bangladesh government is also seeking direct communication with the Indian government to address security-related concerns before giving any final approval for the team’s travel and participation.
This has added another layer to the situation, making it a sensitive diplomatic and sporting issue.
ICC May Use Match Officials as an Example
To counter the security concerns raised by the BCB, the ICC is expected to point out that Bangladeshi officials are already working in India without any issues.
Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat recently officiated in the India vs New Zealand ODI in Vadodara and is also likely to be part of the officiating panel for the T20 World Cup, along with Gazi Sohel.
This example may be used by the ICC to reassure the BCB about safety arrangements in India.
See Also: Bangladesh Cricket Team Latest Update on T20 World Cup 2026
Time Is Running Out Before the Tournament
With less than four weeks left for the T20 World Cup to begin, teams are scheduled to arrive in the first week of February for practice sessions.
Because of the tight timeline, the ICC is keen to resolve the venue issue quickly and put an end to the uncertainty that has dominated headlines in recent days.
What to Expect Next?
- ICC response to BCB expected very soon
- Sri Lanka unlikely to host Bangladesh matches
- Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram could replace Kolkata/Mumbai
- Final decision may depend on government-level talks
The coming days will be crucial in deciding where Bangladesh play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches.
