The uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup has prompted the International Cricket Council to take a decisive step. In a bid to break the deadlock, the ICC is set to send a high-level delegation to Bangladesh for face-to-face discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
The global tournament is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting February 7, but Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India has emerged as a major sticking point. According to sources cited by IANS, the ICC delegation will travel to Bangladesh in the coming days for what is being described as a final round of talks.
Previous attempts to resolve the matter through emails and virtual meetings have failed to yield a breakthrough, making this in-person meeting crucial. A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation and match venues is expected to be announced after the discussions.
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The situation escalated after the BCB, backed by Bangladesh’s sports ministry, took a firm position against playing on Indian soil. This stance reportedly hardened following the BCCI’s request to IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad, a move that sparked political and sporting backlash in Dhaka.
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Bangladesh’s interim Youth and Sports Adviser, Asif Nazrul, has publicly confirmed the ICC’s plans to visit. Speaking to the media in Dhaka, Nazrul made it clear that Bangladesh is unwilling to revise its position. He stated that while Bangladesh is keen to participate in the T20 World Cup, it prefers to play its matches in Sri Lanka and believes alternative arrangements are feasible if the ICC shows intent.
Earlier, the ICC held a virtual meeting with BCB officials, urging them to reconsider their stance given that the tournament schedule has already been finalised. However, the BCB reiterated its demand for venue relocation, prompting both parties to agree to continue dialogue to find a workable solution.
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As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are slated to play three group-stage matches in India—against West Indies, Italy, and England—before moving to Mumbai for a fixture against Nepal. With the clock ticking, the ICC’s visit could prove pivotal in determining whether compromise or confrontation shapes Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup journey.
