World Cup chaos looms as PCB halts prep, backs Bangladesh over India travel row

With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin in just over two weeks, uncertainty continues to loom over the tournament amid rising geopolitical tensions. The latest development has seen the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) publicly support Bangladesh’s decision to avoid playing its matches in India, as reported by Islamabad-based Geo News.

According to the report, the PCB has halted its team’s preparations for the marquee event, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The ICC, however, is yet to officially confirm any changes or respond to the developments.

Advertisement

The strain between India and Bangladesh intensified following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad. The BCCI reportedly directed the move, citing ongoing developments in Bangladesh linked to violence against members of the Hindu community.

In response, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) imposed a ban on IPL broadcasts and related programming within the country. The BCB also wrote to the ICC, requesting that Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches be shifted from India to Sri Lanka due to “safety and security” concerns.

Attempts to resolve the matter through emails and virtual meetings failed to yield a solution. An ICC delegation subsequently visited Dhaka on January 17, 2026, but the discussions ended without any breakthrough. The BCB reiterated its stance, while the ICC maintained its original schedule, placing Bangladesh in Group C alongside Italy, New Zealand, the West Indies and Nepal.

As per ICC sources, the governing body had earlier given an ultimatum to the BCB, asking for a final decision by January 21 on whether Bangladesh will travel to India. Should the BCB refuse, the ICC may name a replacement team, with Scotland emerging as the likely candidate based on current rankings. However, BCB media committee chairman Amjad Hossain clarified that the board had not been given any such ultimatum, stating that “no specific date has been spelt out” by the ICC regarding a final decision.

Pakistan, meanwhile, expressed full support for Bangladesh on January 19, calling the BCB’s concerns “reasonable and valid.” The PCB has also reportedly offered to host Bangladesh’s matches should venues in Sri Lanka be unavailable. Geo News further claimed that Pakistan has been asked to prepare a contingency plan and may reconsider its own participation if the issue remains unresolved.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are set to open their campaign against West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by matches against Italy, England and Nepal. Pakistan, placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, will open against the Netherlands on February 7 and face India on February 15 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.