The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is yet to receive any response from the ICC regarding its concerns over traveling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026. Amid the uncertainty, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shown interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches if Sri Lanka cannot host during the global tournament.
Tension has increased between India and Bangladesh after Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL 2026 squad by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The situation became more serious when the Bangladesh Cricket Board asked the International Cricket Council to shift Bangladesh’s matches from India to Sri Lanka.
Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India took this step amid strong reaction in India over KKR signing a Bangladeshi player during the political and social unrest in Bangladesh, further straining relations between the two countries.
PCB offers Bangladesh to host T20 World Cup 2026 matches amid security concerns
According to Geo Super, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shown readiness to host Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The report said the PCB has formally informed the ICC that it is ready to step in if Sri Lanka is unable to host Bangladesh’s matches.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 following the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision not to travel to India due to security concerns,” sources told Geo Super on Sunday.
The report said, “According to PCB sources, Pakistan has formally expressed its interest in hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches if venues are not available in Sri Lanka. Sources said all Pakistani venues are fully prepared to host World Cup matches.”
PCB confident that Pakistan can host Bangladesh’s World Cup matches
Citing its recent experience of major ICC tournaments, the report said Pakistan is confident that it can host the matches without any problems. The PCB believes that the country has the infrastructure and preparation to smoothly manage World Cup fixtures if the opportunity arises.
“The sources further said that Pakistan has already successfully hosted major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifier, and hence is capable of hosting these matches smoothly as well,” the report said.
ICC has not yet decided on Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 venues
The ICC has not yet taken a final decision on whether Bangladesh’s matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 will remain in India or be shifted elsewhere. This matter is still under discussion and no decision has been announced yet.
As per the current schedule, Bangladesh have been placed in Group C and will start their campaign against West Indies on February 7 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
They are also set to face England and Italy at the same venue on February 9 and 14. Bangladesh will play its final group-stage match against Nepal on February 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. As of now, Bangladesh has to play all its four group matches in India unless the ICC makes any changes.
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