Overview:
Since the T20 World Cup schedule is already confirmed and set to begin on February 7, the ICC is not expected to make any changes to the current plan.
A team from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will soon visit Bangladesh to engage in discussions about the country’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
The recent update comes amidst a continuing dispute, with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Sports and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) maintaining a strong position, asserting that the national team will not travel to India and will only play their matches in Sri Lanka. The scheduled ICC visit was confirmed by sports adviser Asif Nazrul during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday. Nazrul stressed that while Bangladesh is keen to participate in the global event, there will be no compromise on the venue issue, highlighting that the safety and security of the players remain the board’s top priority.
“Based on the most recent information, BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul informed me that an ICC delegation is expected to visit Bangladesh for talks. However, our position remains firm. We are excited to participate in the World Cup, especially in Sri Lanka, and I am confident that making this happen is entirely feasible,” Nazrul stated.
Previously, the ICC had requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to reconsider its request on moving the country’s T20 World Cup matches out of India. However, the BCB has remained firm in its position, once again raising concerns about safety of the players.
In a statement, the BCB reaffirmed that its stance remains the same despite the ICC’s hesitation to grant the request, noting that both sides have agreed to keep the discussions going in hopes of finding “potential solutions.”
The BCB has contacted the ICC multiple times, requesting a change in the location of its matches due to security concerns.
Since the T20 World Cup schedule is already confirmed and set to begin on February 7, the ICC is not expected to make any changes to the current plan.
“The ICC acknowledged that the tournament schedule has been finalized and asked the BCB to reconsider its position. However, the Board has maintained its stance. Both sides have agreed to continue discussions to explore potential solutions,” the BCB said.
“The BCB is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of its players, officials, and staff, while working with the ICC to resolve the issue,” the board added.