The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift Bangladesh’s matches for the T20 World Cup 2026 away from India. However, BCB claimed that it has not received any confirmation or detailed communication from the ICC regarding the decision.
Relations between the BCB and BCCI have deteriorated in recent weeks. Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the 2026 season. Along with political tension, security concerns have also increased regarding Bangladesh playing in India during the T20 World Cup.
Earlier, BCB President Aminul Islam had said that the board is not feeling completely safe about sending the national team to India in the current circumstances.
ICC rejects BCB’s request to move T20 World Cup 2026 matches
According to ESPNcricinfo, the International Cricket Council has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request to shift Bangladesh’s matches away from India for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
The decision was shared during a virtual meeting on Tuesday, January 6. ICC officials told the BCB that there was no strong reason for the request, especially since the Board of Control for Cricket in India has already assured security for visiting teams.
ICC also explained the rules clearly. If Bangladesh decide not to play their matches in the host country, they could lose all points from the tournament, ending their campaign in the group stage.
However, no official statement has come from either side. The BCB has said that it has not received any written confirmation or warning from the ICC, including reports that it was asked to travel or risk losing points.
Uncertainty looms over Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
With the tournament just a month away, Bangladesh’s request to change the venue has raised concerns over planning and scheduling. The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be played from February 7 to March 8 and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh are currently set to play all four of their Group C matches in India. Their campaign will begin on February 7 against West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
They will remain in Kolkata for their next two matches. Bangladesh are scheduled to face Italy on February 9, followed by 2022 champions England at the same venue.
After completing their Kolkata game, Bangladesh are scheduled to travel to Mumbai. Their final group match is against Nepal on February 17 at the Wankhede Stadium.
Bangladesh’s possible replacements for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
If Bangladesh decides not to participate in the tournament, the ICC may include another team in their place. This would not be unusual, as in previous ICC events teams have been replaced or given walkovers when teams withdrew due to security or other concerns.
Scotland replaced them after Zimbabwe withdrew from the 2009 T20 World Cup. At the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, Ireland stepped in after Australia withdrew a few weeks before the event. During the 1996 ODI World Cup, Australia and West Indies refused to travel to Sri Lanka.
If replacement is needed, Scotland could be considered due to their previous World Cup experience and high T20I ranking. However, their recent results are against them, as they finished behind both Italy and Jersey in the 2025 Europe regional finals.
Italy finished second in the regional finals and qualified for the World Cup, while Jersey finished tied on points and only missed out on net run rate. The jersey is seen as a worthy alternative if Bangladesh are replaced.
Also read: India created Bangladesh cricket: The forgotten history behind the current BCCI-BCB tension
