The International Cricket Council (ICC) has firmly rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) demand to relocate their matches at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 away from India, confirming the tournament will proceed as originally scheduled.
The decision came after an ICC Board meeting via video conference on January 21, 2026, amid heightened tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Security Assessments Clear India Venues
The ICC stated that the rejection followed thorough security evaluations, including independent reviews, which found no credible threat to Bangladesh players, officials, media, or fans at any Indian tournament venues. The board emphasized that venue and scheduling decisions are based on objective threat assessments and uniform participation terms for all 20 teams.
Bangladesh’s Refusal and Request
Bangladesh had refused to play matches in India, citing safety concerns linked to deteriorated political relations between the neighbors. The BCB formally requested shifting their games to co-host Sri Lanka instead, but the ICC deemed such changes unfeasible so close to the event (set for February 2026).
Precedent and Feasibility Concerns
Altering the schedule without a genuine security risk could undermine the integrity of future ICC events, the statement warned. The board noted that last-minute modifications are impractical given the finalized hosting arrangements between India and Sri Lanka.
Potential Consequences for Bangladesh
Reports indicate the ICC has given the BCB a tight deadline (around 24 hours in some accounts) to confirm participation in India, or face replacement—possibly by Scotland—in their Group C lineup (which includes New Zealand, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal). Matches for Bangladesh were slated in cities like Kolkata and Mumbai.
This standoff highlights geopolitical strains impacting cricket, with the ICC prioritizing schedule sanctity and uniform application of rules over bilateral disputes.