The International Cricket Council (ICC) has found no actionable security inputs to support Bangladesh’s concerns over player safety in India and has, for now, rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate its matches from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the issue was discussed during an online meeting between ICC officials and BCB representatives on Tuesday (January 6).
During the call, the ICC informed the BCB that it has no assessment indicating any specific or credible threat to the Bangladesh team while playing in India. As a result, the global body sees no basis to alter the tournament schedule or venues at this stage.
The meeting followed an emergency BCB gathering on January 4, after which the board formally wrote to the ICC asking that Bangladesh’s matches be moved outside India to “safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders.” However, the ICC’s position does not currently align with that request. While no final written decision was issued on Tuesday, sources indicate there are no immediate signs of the ICC revising its stance.
A formal response is expected by January 10. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three Group C matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 — before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the tone of the ICC’s communication. ESPNcricinfo reported that the ICC told the BCB it was rejecting the relocation request and that Bangladesh would need to travel to India to play the tournament or risk forfeiting points. The BCB, however, has denied receiving any such ultimatum. Neither the ICC nor the BCCI has issued an official statement on the outcome of the call.
The development comes less than a month before the 20-team tournament begins on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka, with the final scheduled for March 8.
The BCB’s letter to the ICC was triggered by the BCCI’s directive to Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who had been bought at the IPL auction for INR 9.2 crore. The decision was confirmed publicly by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, though no official reason was provided.
It is understood that the IPL Governing Council did not meet on the issue, raising questions over the decision-making process. In response, the BCB banned the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Mustafizur is set to feature in the Pakistan Super League, a move confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board, adding another layer to an increasingly tense standoff — even as the ICC maintains that, on security grounds, it is status quo for Bangladesh at the World Cup.
-Agencies
