Bangladesh Triggers Crisis Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The ICC T20 World Cup has plunged into uncertainty after the Bangladesh Cricket Board formally requested that its matches be moved out of India.
The demand comes barely a month before the tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7, placing organisers under severe pressure to rethink logistics and venues.
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The situation escalated following a decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to terminate the Indian Premier League contract of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
The move reportedly stemmed from a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.
IPL Decision Sparks Political Fallout
Tensions intensified after the BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.
The decision drew a strong reaction from Dhaka, with senior figures in Bangladesh’s interim administration accusing India of disrespecting Bangladeshi cricket.”
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Asif Nazrul, an influential advisor in the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government, publicly criticised the move and directed the BCB to seek an immediate change of venue for Bangladesh’s World Cup fixtures.
He argued that if a Bangladeshi player could not honour a professional contract in India, the national team could not reasonably be expected to feel secure playing there.
Request to Shift Matches to Sri Lanka
Following these developments, the BCB officially approached the International Cricket Council, citing “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its players.
The board requested that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated from India to Sri Lanka.
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Under the original schedule, Bangladesh were slated to play three Group C matches in Kolkata, a city chosen partly for its proximity to the Bangladesh border.
Their group-stage fixtures included clashes against the West Indies, Italy and England, with the final group match against Nepal scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium.
ICC Scrambles to Redraw Schedule
The late request has left the ICC, led by chairman Jay Shah, scrambling to manage the fallout.
With venues, hotels, broadcast plans and security arrangements already locked in, shifting matches at such short notice presents a massive logistical challenge.
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According to reports, the ICC has begun drafting an alternative schedule to accommodate Bangladesh’s request.
Finding suitable venues and accommodation in Sri Lanka on short notice is expected to be difficult, particularly given the scale of the tournament and the tight timeline.
Government’s Strong Message and Team Preparations
The political gravity of the issue was underscored by Asif Nazrul in a social media statement, where he said Bangladesh would not tolerate any insult to its cricket or sovereignty, declaring that “the days of slavery are over.”
He stressed that player dignity and national pride were non-negotiable.
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Despite the uncertainty surrounding venues, the BCB has proceeded with cricketing preparations. The board has confirmed a 15-member squad for the tournament, with Litton Das appointed as captain.
As the countdown to the T20 World Cup continues, the ICC now faces a race against time to resolve the crisis and ensure the tournament proceeds without further disruption.
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