The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally rejected the BCB’s request to shift their 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup games to Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been given 24 hours to decide whether to travel to India for the ensuing T20 World Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) voted against Bangladesh’s request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka.
The decision was taken following an ICC Board meeting on Wednesday, which was set to discuss the way forward after the BCB had asked that it matches be moved out of India.
Only two of the 16-member board voted against any changes in T20 World Cup schedule. Bangladesh have refused to play their matches in India, citing safety concerns following soured political relations between the neighbours and demanded to play them in Sri Lanka.
“The decision was taken after considering all security assessments conducted, including independent reviews, all of which indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, media persons, officials and fans at any of the tournament venues in India,” the ICC said in a statement after the board meeting.
“The ICC board noted that it was not feasible to make changes so close to the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events.”
ICC chairman Jay Shah was in Dubai headquarters on Saturday. It is also learnt that BCB’s demeanour in the entire saga has not gone down well with the members.
BCB chose to announce their decision via media briefings while not writing to the ICC. The International Cricket Council has maintained their stance will set a precedent undermining the sanctity of future marquee tournaments and its neutrality.
The opener match of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be played between Pakistan and Netherlands on February 07 at Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground.
