T20 World Cup 2026: ICC Rejects Bangladesh’s Request to Shift Matches Out of India

In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected a request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside of India. The BCB had raised concerns regarding the safety of its players and officials in India, particularly in light of the ongoing tensions in Bangladesh.

ICC’s Firm Stance

During an online meeting between ICC officials and BCB representatives on Tuesday, the ICC made it clear that there was no credible information suggesting that the Bangladesh team would face any specific or substantial threats while playing in India. The ICC emphasized that no changes would be made to the tournament’s schedule or venues, citing the lack of any verified risk to the team’s safety.

According to reports from CrickBuzz, the ICC conveyed that the request to shift the matches had no valid basis, and thus, the Bangladesh team would need to play its scheduled matches in India or risk forfeiting points. However, the ESPNcricinfo report suggests that the BCB was warned about the consequences of not complying with the tournament’s established arrangements. Despite this, the BCB has denied receiving any official ultimatum from the ICC.

Bangladesh’s Group Matches in India

Bangladesh is scheduled to play all four of their group-stage matches in India. Three of these matches are set to take place at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, while one match will be held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The BCB had initially expressed concerns over the safety of their players, team officials, and other stakeholders, prompting them to formally request the ICC to relocate their matches to safer venues.

The situation escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) excluded Bangladesh’s star bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, from IPL 2026. This move was reportedly influenced by the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which sparked protests within the country regarding Rahman’s participation in India.

A Delicate Situation

The rejection of Bangladesh’s request by the ICC adds a layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation. While the ICC has upheld its stance on the matter, the issue highlights the broader security concerns related to international sporting events, particularly when political tensions spill over into the cricketing world.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board will now have to decide how to handle the situation, with its players and officials needing to prepare for the T20 World Cup in India under the current arrangements.