Lahore, January 11, 2026 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, following security concerns raised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over touring India.
According to PCB sources, Pakistan’s venues are “ready and fully equipped” to accommodate the Liton Das-led team if matches in Sri Lanka or India become unavailable. The PCB highlighted its proven track record of successfully staging major international tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifiers 2025.
The move comes amid strained cricketing and diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India, following the controversial removal of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While the IPL and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have not provided an official explanation, the incident led the Bangladesh government to ban IPL broadcasts domestically.
Under the original T20 World Cup schedule, Bangladesh was set to play its first three group-stage matches in Kolkata, with the final match in Mumbai. PCB officials confirmed that all designated cricket venues in Pakistan are fully prepared to host Bangladesh’s fixtures if required.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to make the final decision on whether Bangladesh’s matches will be shifted to an alternative host nation, with Pakistan positioned as a viable and ready option to ensure smooth tournament operations.