The International Cricket Council (ICC) has turned down Bangladesh’s appeal to move its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures from India to Sri Lanka. On January 4, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested a venue change for its Group C matches, citing security concerns.
During a virtual meeting on Tuesday, the ICC reportedly informed the BCB that the request had been rejected and that Bangladesh would have to travel to India for its matches. The ICC also warned that failing to play in India could result in forfeited points, though the BCB maintains that no such ultimatum was explicitly conveyed.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by the ICC, the BCB, or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following the discussion.
Security Concerns Prompt Bangladesh’s Appeal
The move by the BCB came after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that KKR’s decision was influenced by political tensions and recent violence in Bangladesh, which strained relations between the two countries.
Mustafizur, Bangladesh’s leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals with over 400 wickets, was acquired by KKR in the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi for ₹9.20 crore. The decision to release him drew widespread criticism on social media, especially after reports emerged of crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh in recent weeks.
Sources indicate that the release instruction came from senior levels of BCCI management, rather than the IPL Governing Council or other officials.
Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Schedule
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, featuring 20 teams, is scheduled to be held across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Bangladesh, placed in Group C, will play their first three matches in Kolkata:
- February 7: vs West Indies
- February 9: vs Italy
- February 14: vs England
Their final group match, against Nepal, is set for Mumbai on February 17.
