BCCI Unaware of Bangladesh's ICC T20 World Cup Match Relocation Requests
BCCI's Position on Bangladesh's Concerns
In Majuli, Assam, on January 15, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Devajit Saikia, stated that the board is currently "not in the loop" regarding any discussions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) about relocating Bangladesh's matches in the ICC T20 World Cup.
A video conference took place on Tuesday between the BCB and the ICC to address the participation of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The BCB has expressed a desire to move their matches, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, outside of India, particularly after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad at the BCCI's request, amid ongoing issues concerning minorities in Bangladesh.
Saikia mentioned, "As of now, we are not aware of any communication between the BCB and the ICC. We will provide updates once we receive more information."
During the discussions, the BCB reportedly asked the ICC to consider relocating their matches outside of India.
The ICC acknowledged that the tournament schedule has already been set and urged the BCB to reconsider its position, but the BCB's stance remained firm. Both organizations agreed to continue discussions to find potential solutions.
The BCB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of its players, officials, and staff while working with the ICC to resolve the situation.
Previously, Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, claimed that there is "no atmosphere to play" the T20 World Cup in India, referencing a letter from the ICC's security team, as reported by the state news agency BSS.
ICC sources clarified that independent risk assessments conducted by recognized security experts did not indicate that Bangladesh could not participate in its scheduled T20 World Cup matches in India. The overall security risk for the tournament has been assessed as low to moderate, which aligns with many major global sporting events.
These assessments did not reveal any specific threats to the Bangladesh team, its officials, or the match venues in India. The risks associated with Bangladesh's matches in Kolkata and Mumbai are considered manageable through established security measures.
The ICC is aware of recent public comments regarding Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup, including selective references to the ICC's security risk assessment. The security plan for the tournament is under continuous review.
Participating members, including the BCB, are being consulted throughout this process, and the ICC is open to constructive dialogue to enhance security arrangements as needed.
It is crucial to note that the ICC's independent risk assessments do not conclude that Bangladesh cannot play its scheduled matches in India, according to a source.
The ICC has confidence in the security measures being developed in collaboration with the BCCI and local authorities, who have a strong history of successfully hosting major international sporting events.
The ICC's position remains unchanged: the match schedule has been finalized and published, and they expect all teams to fulfill their obligations under the Terms of Participation. The ICC will continue to engage with all stakeholders transparently and collaboratively to ensure the tournament's safety and integrity.
The T20 World Cup is set to commence on February 7, with Bangladesh opening their campaign against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Following this match, Bangladesh will face Italy on February 9 at the same venue, then take on the 2022 T20 World Cup champions, England, in Kolkata, and conclude their group-stage matches against Nepal on February 17.