The statement, however, stopped short of confirming whether Bangladesh would eventually play its matches in India.
File Photo: IANS
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its “willingness to work closely” with the board to ensure the “full and uninterrupted participation” of the Bangladesh team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the BCB confirmed that it held discussions with the ICC the previous evening following Bangladesh’s decision to raise concerns over playing its group-stage matches in India due to security considerations, including a request to relocate those fixtures. The statement, however, stopped short of confirming whether Bangladesh would eventually play its matches in India.
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“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches,” the BCB said.
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“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event,” it added.
As per the original schedule, Bangladesh have been placed in Group C and are slated to play their first three matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14. Their final group fixture, against Nepal, is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on February 17.
The BCB also dispelled media reports claiming that the ICC had rejected Bangladesh’s request to shift matches out of India and had warned the team of forfeiting points if they refused to play.
“The BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard,” the statement read.
“The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC.
“The Board will continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant event authorities in a cooperative and professional manner to arrive at an affable and practical solution that ensures the smooth and successful participation of the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh national cricket team,” it added.
The standoff follows heightened tensions after a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its 2026 squad, without publicly stating the reasons. The move, amid strained relations between the two countries, triggered broader concerns within Bangladesh cricket over the team’s safety during the World Cup in India.
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