T20 World Cup Venue Row: ICC Offers Two Alternate Indian Venues as Bangladesh Refuses to Play in India

With less than three weeks to go before the T20 World Cup, tensions have escalated over Bangladesh’s refusal to play its matches in India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift its matches to Sri Lanka, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) continues to frame the issue as one of national pride. Meanwhile, Pakistan has inserted itself into the dispute, offering to host Bangladesh’s matches in their country.

To resolve the situation, the ICC has now proposed two alternative venues in India for Bangladesh’s matches, with a final decision expected by Monday or Tuesday.

Here’s the latest update on the matter in five key points:

1. BCB Sends Another Letter to ICC
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has written again to the ICC, reiterating its demand to move all its matches from India to Sri Lanka. Citing player safety concerns amid ongoing political tensions, BCB insists that it is not prepared to send its team to India under current conditions.

2. ICC Offers Two Alternate Indian Venues
The ICC has once again rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift matches to Sri Lanka, citing logistical challenges just weeks before the tournament begins on 7 February. Instead, ICC has offered two new venues in India: Chennai (approved by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association) and Thiruvananthapuram (approved by the Kerala Cricket Association) to host Bangladesh’s matches.

3. BCB Will Consult Its Government First
The BCB has not yet agreed to relocate its matches within India. BCB President Aminul Islam told the media in Sylhet that the board would first seek government approval before making a decision. Reportedly, the Bangladesh government may engage directly with Indian authorities to address security concerns, though no official communication has been confirmed.

4. Chennai Already Hosting Seven Matches
The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is set to host seven T20 World Cup matches, including a potentially crucial Super-8 India vs Australia clash. TNCA officials have confirmed that, with eight pitches available, additional matches can be accommodated, though it remains to be seen whether some matches might have to be shifted from Kolkata or Mumbai.

5. Pakistan Tries to Intervene
Pakistan is seeking to leverage the India-Bangladesh dispute to its advantage. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly offered to host Bangladesh’s matches in Pakistan, communicating directly with ICC Chairman Jay Shah. However, the ICC has not issued any official confirmation regarding this proposal.

With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, the venue controversy continues to cast a shadow over the tournament, keeping fans and cricket boards alike on edge.