The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally turned down a request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to relocate the national team’s T20 World Cup matches away from India, according to recent reports from Indian media.
The request followed the exclusion of Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) after he reportedly received threats from extremist Hindu groups. This security concern prompted Bangladesh to seek an alternative venue for their World Cup fixtures.
In its response, the ICC clarified that the matches would not be moved. The council further stated that if Bangladesh chooses not to travel to India for the tournament, it would risk forfeiting points for the affected matches.
#BreakingNews | ICC Rejects Bangladesh's Request To Shift T20 World Cup 2026 Matches Outside India@Mid_Carder shares more details | @SaroyaHem #ICC #Bangladesh #T20WorldCup2026 #India pic.twitter.com/molV2x977N
— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 7, 2026Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Reaction
Contrary to earlier reports, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has denied receiving any ultimatum from the ICC.
Asif Akbar, Director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, recently affirmed:
“Our team will definitely not go to India to play the World Cup.”
This statement underscores the ongoing tension and Bangladesh’s firm stance regarding player security and match location.
- All scheduled matches in India are expected to proceed as planned.
- Bangladesh may face significant competitive and logistical challenges if it boycotts.
- The ICC continues to emphasise adherence to the original fixture list and host agreements.
The situation remains fluid, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board yet to issue an official follow-up statement. Cricket authorities and fans worldwide are awaiting further developments as the T20 World Cup approaches
