The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has made it unequivocally clear to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not send its men’s team to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka beginning in February 2026. In a high-level meeting held with ICC officials, the BCB reiterated its objection to travelling to India, repeatedly citing concerns about the safety and security of its players, support staff, fans, and wider delegation if matches are hosted on Indian soil.
According to the official press release from the BCB, the board “reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns,” pointing to recent developments in cricketing relations between the two neighbouring countries as key factors. While the ICC has conducted several rounds of discussions, there has been no indication that Bangladesh is prepared to reverse its stance.
This insistence comes amid wider tension following the removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) squad for 2026 — a decision taken by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise reportedly under instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). That incident has intensified the dispute and appears to have contributed to Bangladesh’s heightened apprehensions about participating in matches on Indian soil.
A Creative Proposal to ICC: Group Swap and Sri Lanka Fixtures
In an effort to find a diplomatic path forward that would allow Bangladesh to still participate in the marquee event without compromising its safety concerns, the BCB has tabled a surprising logistical solution. It formally proposed that the ICC relocate all of Bangladesh’s World Cup matches to Sri Lanka by swapping Bangladesh’s group with Australia’s.
This would enable the Bangladesh team to play entirely in Sri Lanka — a co-host nation — thereby eliminating the need to travel to India. Under the offer, Bangladesh would move into Group C (currently Australia’s group), which is scheduled for Sri Lanka venues, while Australia would take Bangladesh’s place in Group B, where games are slated for cities in India. The BCB argues this would require “minimum logistical adjustments” while preserving Bangladesh’s participation.
Negotiations Continue Amid Ongoing Debate
Representatives from both the BCB and ICC described the meetings as “constructive, cordial and professional,” with open discussion on the relevant issues. While ICC delegates engaged fully in dialogue, the board has held its ground firmly on relocating the fixtures. Both sides have agreed to maintain ongoing communication to find a workable resolution before the tournament schedule is finalized.
The ICC is expected to review the proposal and issue a decision in the coming days, as the cricketing world watches closely how this geopolitical and sporting standoff will ultimately unfold.
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