Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has kept its hopes strong about relocating its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka. Despite submitting the request to the International Cricket Council (ICC), there hasn’t been any official confirmation about the venue change.
Earlier, the BCB approached the ICC to relocate its group stage fixtures of the tournament outside India, citing security threats for the Bangladeshi players in the hosting nation.
Amidst the ongoing India-Bangladesh strained political relationship, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, is reported to have approached the ICC.
Although the PCB has shown interest in hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches, the BCB has been adamant about shifting its matches to Sri Lanka.
PCB Source Proves Pakistan’s Capability to Host ICC Events
The closest sources to the PCB confirmed to the Pakistan-based media group Geo Super on Sunday (January 11) that they are fully prepared to stage the T20 World Cup 2026 matches.
Citing the past examples of hosting the key tournaments, Pakistan has now shown its interest in organizing Bangladesh’s matches smoothly.
Here is what the PCB’s sources had to declare: “Certainly! Pakistan officially conveyed its interest in hosting the Bangladesh T20 World Cup fixtures. We are open to inviting them if the co-host nation, Sri Lanka, refuses to stage its matches.
Let’s recall how Pakistan successfully hosted several ICC events, including the Women’s World Cup Qualifier and Champions Trophy 2025. So, we are confident enough of organizing Bangladesh’s matches smoothly throughout the tournament (T20 World Cup 2026) as well,” the PCB source added.
Pakistan’s interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches comes following their political conflict with India.
While Bangladesh is keen to play only in Sri Lanka, their fate to participate in the tournament is uncertain.
ICC Once Again Rejects BCB’s Plea to Relocate T20 WC Matches
As per the latest reports, ICC has figured out the false explanations of the BCB, as the nation’s cricket board was keen to move its matches out of India. Here is what the latest ICC’s statement had to reveal all about the crucial facts:
“No! The overall security risks in India throughout the tournament have been evaluated. The risks are low to moderate level, which proves the consistent profile of the nation to host several international sporting events,” the ICC statement confirmed.
Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence to prove the threat to Bangladeshi players in Kolkata and Mumbai.
To host Bangladesh’s matches within India, the ICC has negotiated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (KSCA). Even though both state cricket board associations showed a willingness to organize Bangladesh’s matches, the BCB was reluctant to allow its players to travel to India.
Meanwhile, the global governing body is seeking alternative venues in Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai. This strategic move to explore venues in the southern parts of India helps to simplify logistical convenience and resolve the security concerns for Bangladeshi players.
A Brief Timeline of India-Bangladesh Controversy Before T20 World Cup 2026
Here is a glimpse of how the India vs Bangladesh political controversy escalated to a peak level, leading to a severe clash between the BCCI and BCB:
- 03rd January 2026: BCCI instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman following Hindus’ sufferings in Bangladesh.
- 04th January 2026: BCB denied its players from travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026.
- 05th January 2026: Bangladesh Ministry Orders to Ban IPL Broadcast Across the Nation.
- 07th January 2026: ICC rejected BCB’s complaints about security threats in India.
- 08th January 2026: BCB submits the second request to ICC claiming the Bangladeshi players’ safety issues in India.
- 09th January 2026: An Indian based sports equipment company, “Sanspareils Greenlands (SG), was reported to terminate its sponsorship deals with Bangladeshi star players.
- 12th January 2026: ICC investigated BCB’s false claims about security threats in India.
- 13th January 2026: BCB adamant to play T20 World Cup w2026 matches in Sri Lanka despite PCB showing interest in hosting Bangladesh matches.
Also Read: India Cricket Team Full Schedule 2026: Complete Tour Dates Revealed
‘Provide Valid Security Reasons’: ICC Source’s Strong Response to BCB
Several media reports claimed that the BCB failed to put up a strong reason to convince the ICC to relocate the T20 World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka.
In other words, neither the BCB submitted documented evidence to prove their threat to the nation, nor did any of the Bangladeshi players or staff members make a formal visit.
Here is how the ICC’s source gave a counterattacking response to the nation’s cricket board for providing illogical explanations against India:
“See! It is mandatory to provide proper and valid security reasons before demanding the relocation of the T20 World Cup matches.
Only if a security team visits a particular venue or nation, the level of security threats be confirmed. Based on their feedback provided we can take necessary steps.
But without any security team’s visit, how can you be so concerned about players’ security and safety?
It is a fact that India has a tremendous record in terms of security and is often considered to host multinational tournaments,” the ICC source responded to BCB.
