The standoff between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council has intensified after Bangladesh officially reiterated that it will not play its matches in India during the T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh government has made it clear that there will be no change in stance, even as the tournament draws closer.
Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul stated that Bangladesh wants to participate in the World Cup, but only if all its matches are shifted to Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co-host.
Bangladesh’s Clear Stand: “No Matches in India”
Asif Nazrul said the decision is final from the government’s side and is linked to player safety and national dignity. He stressed that Bangladesh will not accept any forced conditions from the ICC or pressure from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
According to him, Bangladesh has already communicated its position to the ICC multiple times and sees venue relocation to Sri Lanka as a reasonable solution, especially when similar arrangements were made for other teams in the past.
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How the Dispute Started
The issue escalated after political and security tensions grew following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL-related commitments. Bangladesh authorities viewed this as a warning sign and began questioning the safety of sending the national team to India for a global event.
Since then, the BCB has:
- Sent formal letters to the ICC
- Requested full venue relocation to Sri Lanka
- Asked for a group reshuffle to avoid India-based matches
So far, none of these requests have been approved.
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Bangladesh’s Group and Match Locations (As Per Original Schedule)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Group | Group C |
| Teams | Bangladesh, West Indies, England, Italy, Nepal |
| Matches in India | 4 |
| Venues | Kolkata (3 matches), Mumbai (1 match) |
| Bangladesh Demand | Shift all matches to Sri Lanka |
Bangladesh also proposed swapping groups with Ireland to move entirely into the Sri Lanka leg of the tournament, but the ICC rejected the proposal.
Also see: Bangladesh Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
ICC’s Position and Possible Consequences
The ICC has maintained that India has been cleared as a safe host nation, based on its internal security assessment. Officials believe altering the schedule at this stage could disrupt the entire tournament structure.
Reports suggest the ICC has informally asked Bangladesh to confirm its final position by January 21, though the BCB has publicly dismissed any such deadline. If Bangladesh withdraws, the ICC may be forced to replace them with another qualified team, such as Scotland.
T20 World Cup 2026: Key Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Start | 7 February 2026 |
| Hosts | India & Sri Lanka |
| India Venues | Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai |
| Sri Lanka Venues | Colombo (RPS, SSC), Kandy (Pallekele) |
| Special Case | Pakistan matches already scheduled in Sri Lanka |
The ICC is now under pressure to make a final call that balances tournament integrity, political sensitivities, and team participation. Bangladesh, meanwhile, has made it clear that it is prepared to stand firm, even if that risks missing the tournament.
Also see: Bangladesh Bans IPL 2026 Broadcast After Mustafizur Rahman
