The International Cricket Council has turned down the first request of the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move the venues of the Bangladesh matches in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026. But, new reports hint that the highest authority of Bangladesh cricket has again submitted a formal request to the ICC for the venue change
This is the second time that the BCB has requested a shift after the Mustafizur Rahman–Kolkata Knight Riders incident. The BCB had previously made it very clear that they wouldn’t host their World Cup matches in Indian venues, as they had serious safety concerns for their players.
The matter became more complicated when Mustafizur Rahman left the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, and IPL 2026 barred him from playing, apparently due to rising anti-Muslim sentiments in the country.
Moreover, the situation became even more dramatic after a report of the mob-lynching of a Bangladeshi Hindu national, Dipu Chandra Das, in India, which sent shockwaves through Bangladesh.
ICC is going to reply to Bangladesh’s new request within 48 hours
As per bdcrictime reports, the ICC is to react to the BCB’s most recent request in the next two days, which can define if Bangladesh’s World Cup matches will be eventually relocated or not.
The BCB has made it very clear in its latest communication, reiterating that it is still very much against playing its World Cup matches at Indian venues.
PCB and Bangladesh stick together in supporting India’s boycott
Pakistan has also taken up the position of backing Bangladesh’s belief that India is not a suitable venue for them. Interestingly, Pakistan, which has a dispute with India, is to play all its T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside India, in Sri Lanka, the co-host of the tournament.
While the group-stage matches of Bangladesh were expected to take place in India, the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board for Bangladesh playing outside India has pushed the situation further.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7, the ICC is likely to make a decision in the next 48 hours. Based on that decision, either the BCB or the BCCI could be required to act quickly.
Download the CricInformer app
Take CricInformer with you. Get our app for cricket news and updates on your phone.