Sri Lanka Cricket has finally addressed the controversy surrounding Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, making it clear that it does not wish to be dragged into regional or political tensions. Responding to reports linking Sri Lanka to the row between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Bandula Dissanayake stressed that the island nation’s stance is one of neutrality. He underlined that Sri Lanka maintains cordial relations with all cricketing boards and does not want to be perceived as siding with any particular country.
“We don’t want to get involved in disputes between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” Dissanayake said, emphasizing that Sri Lanka’s priority is the smooth functioning of international cricket rather than political or diplomatic stand-offs.
How Bangladesh Lost Its T20 World Cup Spot
The controversy erupted after Bangladesh reportedly requested that its group-stage matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup be moved out of India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC, however, did not accept the request and asked the BCB to confirm its participation within a stipulated deadline. When Bangladesh failed to meet the ICC’s timeline, the global body took the dramatic step of removing the team from the tournament and naming Scotland as their replacement.
This decision sparked strong reactions within Bangladesh cricket circles, with the BCB reportedly unhappy with how the situation was handled. The episode also reignited debates around politics, security, and hosting rights in international cricket, especially when tournaments are held across sensitive regions.
Sri Lanka Open to Hosting, But on ICC’s Terms
While distancing itself from the dispute, Sri Lanka reiterated its willingness to assist world cricket if formally approached. Dissanayake made it clear that Sri Lanka would not proactively insert itself into the matter but remains open to hosting matches if requested by the ICC. “If the ICC asks us to host matches, we are always ready,” he said, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s image as a reliable and neutral venue.
He also hinted that Sri Lanka could be an option for teams unwilling or unable to play in certain countries due to diplomatic or security reasons, noting that such arrangements must come through official ICC channels. For now, however, Sri Lanka is keen to stay out of the ICC-Bangladesh standoff, focusing instead on maintaining balanced relationships and supporting the global game without controversy.
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