ICC Delegation to Visit Bangladesh Amid T20 World Cup 2026 Venue Dispute; India Matches in Question

The controversy over Bangladesh refusing to play its matches in India during the T20 World Cup 2026 appears to be moving toward a resolution. An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is set to visit Bangladesh to hold face-to-face discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and resolve the ongoing dispute.

Currently, the ICC has refused to shift Bangladesh’s matches outside India, while the Bangladesh government and BCB have insisted that their team will not travel to India unless the matches are moved. Bangladesh has suggested Sri Lanka, India’s co-host, as an alternative venue.

Here are the key updates in 5 points:

1. ICC team’s visit to Bangladesh confirmed
Government sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed on Thursday that the ICC delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, Nazrul said that Bangladesh remains eager to participate in the global event but will not compromise on the venue issue. “According to the latest update, BCB chairman Aminul Islam Bulbul has informed me that an ICC team may visit Bangladesh for discussions. Our stance will not change. We are keen to play in the World Cup, but only in Sri Lanka,” Nazrul said.

2. Date of ICC team’s visit yet to be finalized
According to the Bangladeshi newspaper Daily Star, a BCB official confirmed the ICC delegation’s visit but stated that the exact dates are not yet decided. Discussions with the ICC are ongoing, and communication is active, but a fixed schedule has not been set.

3. BCB facing player unrest
The issue has escalated as Bangladeshi players expressed dissatisfaction over the potential boycott. Following critical comments, BCB director M. Najmul Islam labeled some players as “India agents,” prompting a strike. As a result, BCB canceled BPL 2026 matches on Thursday. Subsequently, Islam was removed from his post as Finance Committee Chairman, after which players ended the strike but demanded a public apology from him. Failure to comply could trigger another strike.

4. Prior ICC-BCB discussions
The BCB and ICC have been in constant communication, including a video conference last week. Bangladesh had cited player safety concerns in India and insisted on moving their matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected this request due to time constraints ahead of the February 7 tournament start, urging Bangladesh to reconsider its stance. Negotiations continue, but no final decision has been reached.

5. Controversy began with Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion
The dispute originated when Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman, bought by KKR for ₹9.20 crore for IPL 2026, faced protests from Hindu organizations in Bangladesh. Following the BCCI’s directive for KKR to release Rahman, the Bangladesh government claimed the safety of its players in India was at risk, demanding a shift of T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. Additionally, Bangladesh later banned IPL 2026 broadcasts in the country, intensifying the controversy.

The ICC delegation’s upcoming visit is expected to play a decisive role in resolving the venue standoff before the tournament begins.