DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has firmly ruled out any changes to the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, rejecting Bangladesh’s request to relocate its group-stage matches from India to Sri Lanka due to alleged security concerns.
The decision was finalized during an ICC Board meeting held on Wednesday, where Bangladesh’s participation and safety concerns were discussed in detail. After reviewing multiple security evaluations, including independent assessments, the global governing body concluded that there was no credible threat to players, officials, media personnel, or fans at any of the designated venues.
“The ICC considered comprehensive security reports and independent reviews, all of which confirmed that tournament venues in India pose no risk to Bangladesh players or stakeholders,” the council said in an official statement. “Based on these findings, the Board agreed that altering the schedule at this late stage was neither necessary nor feasible.”
The Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on 7 February, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with matches spread across multiple iconic venues in both countries. The tournament draw and fixtures were finalized months ago, and preparations are already in advanced stages.
Bangladesh are placed in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, and Nepal. According to the original itinerary, the Tigers are set to play their first three group matches at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, followed by their final group-stage encounter in Mumbai.
The controversy emerged after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed reluctance to send its team to India, citing safety concerns for players and support staff. The BCB formally requested the ICC to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, a proposal that sparked extensive discussions between the two parties.
Sources indicate that tensions were further inflamed following an Indian Premier League (IPL)-related dispute involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman, which reportedly triggered strong reactions within Bangladesh’s cricketing circles. Despite several rounds of dialogue, the BCB remained adamant about shifting venues outside India.
However, the ICC maintained that accommodating such a request without verified security risks could undermine the integrity of future tournaments. “Making last-minute changes in the absence of a credible threat would set an unhealthy precedent and compromise the neutrality of ICC events,” the statement added.
While the ICC reportedly explored alternative options, including venue adjustments within India, these proposals were also rejected by the BCB, prolonging the deadlock.
With the schedule now officially confirmed, the ICC has urged all participating boards to focus on preparations and uphold the spirit of international cricket. Unless there is a significant and verified change in circumstances, Bangladesh will be expected to compete under the existing fixture list as the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 continues.
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