The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has held formal discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding a possible group swap or relocation of their matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The move comes amid safety concerns for players, staff, and fans ahead of the tournament.
In an official statement on Saturday, the BCB said it requested that Bangladesh’s group-stage matches, currently scheduled in India, be moved to Sri Lanka. “During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka,” the statement read. The board also conveyed the Bangladeshi government’s views, emphasizing the safety and wellbeing of players, support staff, media, and fans.
Bangladesh, drawn in Group C, are slated to play West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata, before concluding the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17. The BCB has refused to send its team to India, citing security concerns and calling for alternative arrangements to safeguard all stakeholders.
The announcement follows controversy over the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly forced to withdraw, prompting criticism from Dhaka.
The BCB and ICC described the discussions as professional and constructive, with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue. ICC officials Gaurav Saxena and Andrew Ephgrave met with BCB representatives, including President Aminul Islam and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury, to explore logistical solutions, including a potential group swap to minimize disruption.
Bangladesh continues to push for arrangements that ensure its players can compete safely while maintaining the integrity of the tournament.