ICC rejects BCB request, Bangladesh have to play T20 World Cup in India

ICC
BCB-ICC
BCB-ICC
Online Desk
Online Desk
The International Cricket Council has confirmed that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will go ahead as scheduled, with Bangladesh’s matches to be played in India, rejecting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to relocate fixtures to Sri Lanka.

The decision was taken at an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, where the Board reviewed multiple security assessments, including independent evaluations.

All reports concluded there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials, media or fans at any of the tournament venues in India.

The ICC said altering the schedule so close to the tournament was not feasible and warned that making changes without a verified security risk could set a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining the neutrality and integrity of future ICC events.

The governing body also revealed it had engaged in extensive discussions with the BCB, sharing detailed venue-level security plans and assurances from host authorities.

However, the BCB maintained its stance, linking its participation to an unrelated issue involving a Bangladeshi player’s domestic league involvement.

In a statement, an ICC spokesperson reiterated that venue and scheduling decisions are based on objective security assessments and host guarantees that apply equally to all 20 teams.

With no independent findings supporting the BCB’s concerns, the ICC said it was unable to relocate Bangladesh’s fixtures due to significant logistical challenges and the wider impact on the tournament.

Read more: