ICC Denies Bangladesh's Request to Shift T20 World Cup Matches from India
ICC Rejects Bangladesh's Request
According to reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down Bangladesh's request to relocate its matches for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 from India. On Sunday, January 4, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) issued a statement indicating that they had formally asked the ICC to move the Group C matches of this major short-format event to another location. However, a report from ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday night, January 6, confirmed that the ICC has rejected BCB's request.
Virtual Meeting Outcome
This decision was communicated during a virtual meeting between the two bodies, where the ICC made it clear that Bangladesh must travel to India for the tournament, or risk losing points. Sources revealed that despite the concerns raised, the tournament's schedule and venue will remain unchanged. The global governing body reportedly informed the BCB that refusing to play matches in India could lead to consequences, including the potential loss of points. However, BCB sources stated that they have not yet received any official communication confirming the rejection.
Rising Tensions
This conflict has escalated tensions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the BCB, particularly after Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The BCCI requested the Kolkata Knight Riders to terminate Mustafizur's contract, citing "surrounding events" as the reason. This decision came amid political protests in India following reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
Emergency Meeting Called
Following Mustafizur's release, the BCB convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and subsequently expressed concerns to the ICC regarding the safety and security of their players during the T20 World Cup in India. Bangladesh referenced previous instances where BCB Director Farooq Ahmed mentioned Pakistan's participation in ICC events under a hybrid model to support their request.
Political Influence on Cricket Relations
As the situation intensified, Bangladesh took further steps by banning the broadcast of the upcoming IPL season in their country. In an earlier conversation with a media outlet, Farooq Ahmed emphasized that politics has played a significant role in deteriorating relations between the two cricket boards, stressing that cricket-related matters have become entangled in larger issues.
Mustafizur's Next Steps
Meanwhile, Mustafizur has quickly moved on, joining the Pakistan Super League shortly after his IPL exit. While the ICC appears reluctant to make last-minute changes to the World Cup schedule, the lack of formal communication has left room for ongoing uncertainty, and the BCB has yet to publicly confirm its next steps.