ICC denies Bangladesh’s request to move T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has denied the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift their matches from India to Sri Lanka for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, according to ESPNcricinfo. The decision was communicated during a virtual meeting between the ICC and BCB on Tuesday. The ICC reportedly told Bangladesh that their senior men’s team must travel to India for their scheduled matches or risk forfeiting points.

Bangladesh were set to open their campaign on February 7 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, followed by matches against Italy on February 9 and England on February 11 at the same venue. Their final group match is scheduled against Nepal at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

BCB Cites Safety Concerns

The BCB had formally requested the relocation of matches due to “safety and security” concerns for the Bangladeshi players. Citing advice from the Bangladesh government and growing apprehensions regarding player safety, the BCB announced that the national team will not travel to India under current conditions. No official statements have been released by ICC or BCB following the Tuesday call.

IPL Controversy and Political Backdrop

The developments follow the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) releasing Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, following directives from the BCCI amid political tensions in India over minority issues in Bangladesh. The IPL franchise was allowed to choose a replacement if desired. The inclusion of Mustafizur had sparked a political backlash, raising questions about the participation of Bangladeshi players in Indian tournaments.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the opening match scheduled in Colombo on February 7 between Pakistan and the Netherlands.