Bangladesh officially requests ICC to move T20 World Cup matches outside India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking the relocation of all of Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 from India, stating that the national team will not travel to the country under the prevailing circumstances.

The move follows a rapid escalation of events that began with an IPL-related controversy involving Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. His release from Kolkata Knight Riders triggered widespread concern within Bangladesh’s cricketing community, eventually leading to an emergency meeting of the BCB and a formal request to the ICC.

In a media statement issued from Dhaka on Sunday, the BCB said its Board of Directors convened an emergency session to review developments linked to the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. According to the board, the past 24 hours saw significant developments that raised serious questions about Bangladesh fulfilling its fixtures in India.

That time frame coincides with the Mustafizur Rahman episode. The left-arm seamer’s exit from the IPL was viewed in Bangladesh as more than a routine franchise decision, with reports suggesting possible board-level involvement. The incident intensified calls within the BCB for clarity on the circumstances surrounding his release and heightened broader anxieties over the team’s treatment and security while playing in India.

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As the situation worsened, the BCB said it conducted a detailed assessment of the ground realities, factoring in growing concerns about the safety and security of players and officials, along with guidance received from the Bangladesh government. Based on this review, the board concluded that the national team should not travel to India for the tournament in the current environment.

The BCB has now placed the matter before the ICC, urging the world body, as the event’s governing authority, to shift Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India. The board argued that such a move is necessary to protect the well-being of players, team management, board officials, and other stakeholders, and to ensure participation in a secure and suitable setting. The statement also stressed the need for an urgent decision from the ICC.