The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is facing unexpected turbulence after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested that all of its group-stage matches be moved out of India. The sudden demand — arriving barely a month before the tournament’s scheduled 7 February start — has forced the International Cricket Council (ICC), under chairman Jay Shah, to begin drafting a revised schedule with potential relocation of fixtures to Sri Lanka.
The request followed escalating tensions between India and Bangladesh triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to terminate the IPL contract of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The move sparked outrage in Dhaka, with the Bangladeshi government and cricket administrators citing perceived disrespect and safety concerns.
Bangladesh was originally slated to play three of its Group C matches in Kolkata, including fixtures against West Indies (7 Feb), Italy (9 Feb) and England (14 Feb), before finishing the group stage versus Nepal at Wankhede Stadium (17 Feb). With the venue shift request, ICC officials are now scrambling to accommodate these games in alternative Sri Lankan venues — an effort that could prove highly challenging due to tight timelines and logistical demands.
BCB’s plea to the ICC was backed by remarks from Asif Nazrul, advisor for Youth and Sports in Bangladesh’s interim administration, who emphasised that Bangladesh would not tolerate what he described as an “insult” to the country’s cricketing dignity. Nazrul asserted that if a Bangladeshi cricketer cannot safely fulfil his IPL commitments in India, the national team should not be expected to compete on Indian soil in the World Cup.
Despite the diplomatic strain, Bangladesh has already announced its 15-member squad, led by Litton Kumar Das, indicating the team’s readiness to compete if suitable arrangements are made. The sudden shift request, however, has placed immense pressure on the ICC to ensure schedule integrity and operational feasibility for one of cricket’s marquee events.
Officials from the ICC and member boards are expected to engage in further discussions this week, as they assess stadium availability in Sri Lanka, travel arrangements, broadcast and sponsorship commitments, and other tournament logistics. The resolution of this situation will be crucial in preserving the credibility and smooth execution of the T20 World Cup, even as relations between the two neighbouring cricketing nations remain strained.
