KEY POINTS
- The BCB is considering asking to follow Pakistan’s model of playing all its matches in co-host Sri Lanka instead.
- The board declined to comment on Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release, calling it an internal matter for the BCCI and KKR.
DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is set to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a formal request to have its 2026 T20 World Cup matches played outside India, citing team security concerns.
According to the Bangladesh media, citing a senior BCB official, Bangladesh may seek to follow Pakistan’s precedent of having all its matches moved to Sri Lanka. The final decision, however, rests with the ICC.
BCB considers request for venue change, cites Security
Media outlets quoted an unnamed BCB official stating that the board plans to raise the issue with the ICC at the earliest opportunity. “The decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation, would be made by the ICC,” the official said, adding that Bangladesh “could follow Pakistan’s footsteps of playing all matches in Sri Lanka instead of India, subject to the apex body’s approval.”
This potential move comes amid a backdrop of heightened regional tensions and follows Pakistan’s earlier decision, based on security grounds, to play its entire World Cup schedule in the co-hosting nation of Sri Lanka.
Mustafizur’s IPL release called an “internal matter”
The BCB official refrained from commenting directly on the recent release of star left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League season, calling it an internal matter for the franchise and the BCCI.
“I cannot make any comment regarding the release of Mustafizur as this is their internal matter,” the official stated. This stance contrasts with the explanation given earlier on Saturday by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, who attributed Rahman’s release to “‘the unrest’ in the country over allowing a Bangladesh player to take part in IPL 2026.”
Bangladesh’s scheduled World Cup fixtures in India
As per the current schedule, Bangladesh is placed in Group C and is set to begin its World Cup campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. The venue is also scheduled to host Bangladesh’s matches against Italy (February 9) and England (February 14). Their final group-stage fixture against Nepal is slated for Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 17.
The BCB’s deliberations introduce a new layer of logistical and diplomatic complexity to the already intricate planning for the 20-team tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The ICC has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
