The Bangladesh Cricket Board has once again asked the International Cricket Council to review venue arrangements for the T20 World Cup 2026. The board has formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved out of India. Officials cited security concerns as the main reason behind the renewed appeal.
According to details, the BCB has raised the matter as a formal venue dispute. The board has asked the ICC to place the issue before its Dispute Resolution Committee. Bangladesh has clearly stated it will not send its national team to India under the current conditions.
BCB officials believe the situation threatens Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament. They warned that millions of fans could be deprived of the World Cup. The board argued that responsibility would then rest with the ICC.
BCB Cites Precedent of Special Arrangements
BCB President Aminul Islam highlighted previous tournament arrangements to support the board’s position. He referred to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as a key example. During that event, India played all its matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan.
He said the ICC accepted India’s concerns at the time. However, Bangladesh’s request has not received similar consideration. He described this difference in treatment as unfair. He also warned that such decisions could damage trust in tournament governance.
Moreover, the BCB believes consistent standards must apply to all member nations. Officials stressed that security concerns should not be dismissed selectively. They added that fan safety and player welfare must remain the ICC’s top priority.
ICC Yet to Issue Formal Response
So far, the ICC has not issued a public response to the latest request. However, the matter is expected to be reviewed internally. The Dispute Resolution Committee could assess the claim if formally referred.
Bangladesh is scheduled to begin its World Cup campaign against Italy. The match is currently set for February 9 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That fixture remains unchanged for now.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s participation. Officials insist the issue is not political. They maintain it is strictly about safety and fairness. They also emphasised their willingness to play at a neutral venue.
Growing Pressure Ahead of Tournament
As the tournament approaches, pressure is increasing on the ICC to act. Any delay could disrupt preparations. It may also affect scheduling and logistics.
For Bangladesh, the stakes remain high. The board insists it wants participation, not withdrawal. However, it remains firm on its demand for venue relocation. The coming weeks could prove decisive for the World Cup’s planning and credibility.
