The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reaffirmed that the national men’s team will not travel to India to play its matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, escalating a rare and sensitive dispute with world cricket’s governing body and raising questions over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.
BCB officials said the position has been clearly communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC), with Dhaka seeking relocation of all its scheduled fixtures away from Indian venues.
What the tournament looks like
The 2026 T20 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches spread across multiple cities in both countries. The ICC has already finalised the schedule and venues, allotting several group-stage matches involving Bangladesh to India as part of the co-hosting arrangement.
Under ICC regulations, participating teams are expected to adhere to the agreed schedule, and changes to venues are typically considered only in exceptional circumstances.
BCB’s security argument
The BCB has framed its refusal around player safety and security concerns, saying its decision is based on national-level inputs and advice. While the board has not publicly outlined specific threats, it has maintained that the assurances provided so far are insufficient.
“We have conveyed our concerns to the ICC and asked for our matches to be moved,” a senior BCB official said, adding that the board’s priority remains the safety of players and support staff.
Regional context and sensitivities
Cricket in South Asia has frequently been affected by political and security considerations, with neutral venues, split hosting and curtailed tours shaping the region’s sporting calendar over the past two decades. Analysts note that Bangladesh’s stance reflects a broader trend of cricket boards aligning closely with government guidance on overseas travel.
The situation also underlines how major ICC events, particularly in the subcontinent, are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical and diplomatic undercurrents.
ICC’s balancing act
For the ICC, accommodating Bangladesh’s demand poses significant challenges. The tournament schedule is closely linked to broadcast contracts, commercial commitments and host board agreements. Sources indicate that independent security assessments for the event have not flagged extraordinary risks warranting a venue shift.
At the same time, the ICC is wary of setting a precedent that could encourage other teams to seek changes based on unilateral concerns.
What’s at stake
If the deadlock persists, Bangladesh could face the prospect of forfeiting matches or other competitive consequences under ICC rules, an outcome both sides are keen to avoid. Continued dialogue remains the preferred option, with enhanced security guarantees or logistical adjustments among the possible compromises.
For now, the BCB has made it clear that its position remains unchanged, leaving the ICC with limited time to resolve an issue that has become a telling example of how international cricket in South Asia is shaped by security perceptions as much as by the game itself