Earlier this month, the BCB, with backing from the Bangladesh government, declined to send the national team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The board formally requested the ICC to move all of Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns linked to rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The concerns were further heightened following developments involving the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which reportedly asked the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, adding to the strained relations.
BCB optimistic after ICC discussions
As reported by The Daily Sun, BCB vice-president Shakhawat Hossain stated that the board is optimistic about receiving a favourable response from the ICC following a meeting held on Tuesday, January 13. The report added that the BCB’s stance is supported by an assessment carried out by the ICC’s security team.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul claimed that the ICC’s security assessment had ruled in Bangladesh’s favour regarding safety concerns in India. However, that assertion was later disputed by a report from Cricbuzz, which indicated that no formal decision had been communicated by the ICC at the time.
Sources familiar with the hour-long meeting between ICC and BCB officials revealed that the Bangladesh board maintained a firm position, reiterating its concerns about potential risks to player safety if the team were to travel to India.
Resolution expected soon
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the standoff between the ICC and the BCB is expected to be resolved by Thursday, January 15. There is growing speculation that the ICC may allow Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka.
The reports further noted that, as a full-member nation of the ICC, Bangladesh retains the right to appeal should its concerns not be addressed. The BCB’s request is understood to carry legal and procedural weight, making it difficult for the ICC to dismiss the issue or exclude Bangladesh from the tournament.
Under the original schedule announced by the ICC last year, Bangladesh were placed in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal and West Indies. Their group-stage matches were slated to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
If the relocation is approved, Bangladesh’s fixtures are expected to be moved to Sri Lankan venues, with Colombo and Kandy emerging as the most likely options.
