Pakistan Cricket Board Supports Bangladesh’s India Travel Concerns
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) backing Bangladesh’s request to shift its T20 World Cup 2026 matches away from India. Bangladesh has raised security and political concerns about playing in India, prompting the appeal. The PCB’s letter was reportedly circulated among ICC Board members, showing rising regional support for Bangladesh’s position.
The ICC is expected to convene today for a key board meeting. The governing body will decide whether to allow Bangladesh to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has repeatedly expressed its reluctance to travel to India due to safety concerns and regional tensions. Despite these concerns, the ICC has so far maintained that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged.
Deadlock Between ICC and Bangladesh Continues
The dispute has deepened after multiple rounds of talks between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The ICC has consistently insisted that Bangladesh must play its group-stage games in India. The BCB, backed by the Bangladeshi government, has refused to send the team to India under the current conditions.
Last week, the ICC reiterated its position to the BCB during discussions. The recent talks in Dhaka also failed to resolve the issue. Both sides remain firm in their stance, leaving the tournament schedule at risk of disruption.
The PCB’s letter has added a new dimension to the issue. While it is not clear if the letter prompted the ICC meeting, it has certainly intensified the political pressure surrounding the case. The PCB has not publicly commented on the matter yet.
Potential Changes Could Impact Tournament Schedule
Bangladesh is currently scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign on February 7. The team’s opening match is set against the West Indies in Kolkata. Bangladesh is also slated to play two more group games in Kolkata before concluding its group-stage fixtures in Mumbai.
The dispute escalated after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was removed from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad. The decision was reportedly made on the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The move did not come with any official explanation, further fueling tensions.
Following this incident, the Bangladeshi government banned the IPL broadcast in the country. The BCB then formally informed the ICC that it would not travel to India for the T20 World Cup matches.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that Pakistan had offered to host Bangladesh’s matches. Some reports also hinted that Pakistan might reconsider its own participation depending on the ICC’s final decision. The PCB’s involvement is being seen as a potential game-changer in the deadlock.
Bangladesh has sought support from Pakistan, citing security risks and political pressure. Pakistan has expressed support for Bangladesh’s concerns and urged the ICC to address them without pressure or threats.
The ICC’s final decision in today’s meeting will determine whether the World Cup schedule remains unchanged or faces a major reshuffle.
