The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly turned down Bangladesh’s request to move their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches away from India, dealing a significant blow to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The development comes just days after the BCB formally approached the global governing body seeking a change of venues for their Group C fixtures in the upcoming marquee tournament.
In a statement released on Sunday (January 4), the BCB confirmed that it had requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s group-stage matches scheduled to be played in India. However, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday night (January 6), the ICC has rejected the proposal, citing security-related considerations.
The report further claimed that during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, ICC officials made it clear to the BCB that Bangladesh would be required to travel to India for the tournament.
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According to ESPNCricinfo, the ICC said Bangladesh must play their T20 World Cup matches in India or risk forfeiting points. That said, the BCB has pushed back on this claim, maintaining that no such ultimatum has been officially communicated to them by the ICC. As things stand, Bangladesh are scheduled to play all four of its Group C matches on Indian soil.
ESPNcricinfo has learned that the ICC has rejected Bangladesh’s request to play their #T20WorldCup matches outside India.
The ICC is understood to have said that Bangladesh will need to travel to India or risk forfeiting points. The BCB has claimed no such ultimatum has been… pic.twitter.com/2SwBiHL2ka
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 7, 2026
Their opening three fixtures — against the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and Italy again on February 14 — are set to take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. For their final group-stage match against Nepal on February 17, the Bangladeshi side is expected to travel to Mumbai.
The timing of Bangladesh’s request raised eyebrows, as it came just a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad.
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The Bangladeshi left-arm pacer, who is his country’s highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, was picked up by KKR for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. However, the signing sparked controversy amid reports of unrest in Bangladesh, leading to criticism directed at the franchise and its owner Shah Rukh Khan. Notably, Mustafizur Rahman was the only Bangladeshi player bought at the IPL 2026 auction, having previously represented multiple franchises in the league.
