The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) convened a high-level meeting on January 7, 2026, to discuss its firm stance against playing any matches in India during the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The meeting included BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul and Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh government's advisor on youth and sports. Amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the two neighboring countries, the BCB reaffirmed its position following a recent letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) addressing the venue change request. Bangladesh is scheduled to play all four of its Group C group-stage matches in India—three at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against West Indies, Italy, and England, and one at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai against Nepal—but has repeatedly cited safety and security concerns for players, officials, and supporters as the primary reason for seeking relocation.
The controversy originated from the release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the IPL 2026 season, a decision attributed to directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid reports of unrest involving minorities in Bangladesh and broader geopolitical strains. This incident prompted the BCB to formally request the ICC on January 4 to shift Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka, similar to the arrangement for Pakistan's fixtures. The ICC, in its response, emphasized its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh's full participation in the tournament while rejecting the venue relocation proposal, reportedly indicating that non-compliance could lead to point forfeitures or other penalties. The BCB has described the ICC's communication as supportive of uninterrupted involvement but maintains that the security issues remain unresolved.
The T20 World Cup 2026 features 20 teams across eight venues—five in India (including Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai) and three in Sri Lanka (R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy). Bangladesh, captained by Litton Das and including key players like Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain, opened discussions on the matter after an emergency board meeting earlier in the week. Government involvement has intensified the position, with officials stressing that player safety cannot be compromised, especially given the precedent of neutral venues for certain bilateral sensitivities.
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As the tournament approaches, the impasse highlights the intersection of cricket, politics, and security in the subcontinent. The BCB has indicated it will continue engaging with the ICC to press its case, while the governing body seeks to maintain the original schedule. With less than a month until the opener, any resolution—or lack thereof—could impact group dynamics in Group C, which also includes England, the West Indies, Italy, and Nepal, and potentially set precedents for future ICC events amid regional tensions.
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