Bangladesh Seeks Venue Shift Amid Security Concerns Ahead of T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally announced that the national men’s team will not travel to India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup under current conditions, citing escalating concerns over player safety and deteriorating political relations between the two countries.

In a statement, the BCB said its decision followed “a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation” and government advice warning of risks to players, staff, journalists, and travelling supporters. The board has requested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) relocate all of Bangladesh’s scheduled matches—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai—to a neutral venue, preferably Sri Lanka, the tournament’s co‑host.

Triggering Events and Political Backdrop

Tensions intensified after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their 2026 IPL squad, citing unspecified “recent developments. The move prompted Bangladesh’s government to ban IPL broadcasts domestically, calling the decision “distressing” and “unjustified.

The dispute unfolds against a wider backdrop of strained diplomatic ties, including protests in both countries and disagreements over extradition and communal violence, which have contributed to a climate of mistrust spilling into sport.

Implications for the Tournament

The ICC now faces a significant logistical challenge. Bangladesh are placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy, with their opening match scheduled for February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. A relocation could disrupt travel plans, venue allocations, and broadcast schedules.

If the ICC rejects the request and Bangladesh refuses to travel, the team risks forfeiting all group-stage matches—an unprecedented scenario in T20 World Cup history, though not without precedent in earlier ODI World Cups where teams declined to play in certain host nations due to security concerns.

Next Steps

BCB officials say they will continue “constructive engagement” with the ICC but remain firm that the team will not play in India unless security assurances improve significantly. The ICC has yet to issue a final decision.