Dhaka, Jan 13 (PTI) The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday acknowledged that the ICC has shown reluctance to shift Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches out of India, but said it will not back down from its position, reiterating concerns over the team’s security.
In a statement issued after a video conference with the ICC, the BCB said the world body had “requested” it to reconsider its demand, citing the fact that the tournament schedule has already been finalised. However, the board maintained that its stance remains unchanged and that discussions will continue to explore possible solutions.
“While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board’s position remains unchanged. Both parties agreed that discussions will continue to explore possible solutions,” the BCB said.
The board added that it remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff, while continuing to engage constructively with the ICC on the issue.
The BCB has written to the ICC multiple times seeking relocation of its T20 World Cup matches from India due to security concerns. The ICC, however, is unlikely to accede to the request, given that the schedule for the tournament beginning February 7 has already been announced. The ICC’s own risk assessment has not identified any specific or direct threat to the Bangladesh team’s participation in India.
During Tuesday’s video conference, the BCB was represented by president Aminul Islam, CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury and other senior officials. The board said it once again reaffirmed its decision not to travel to India and urged the ICC to consider moving Bangladesh’s matches to another venue.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three league-stage matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
The demand for relocation came after the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its IPL 2026 squad amid reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Following Mustafizur’s release, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country.
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and current Test skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto have cautioned against adopting a hard-line stance. Tamim warned that decisions taken now could have repercussions a decade later, while Shanto spoke about the psychological stress players are experiencing at the prospect of missing a World Cup.
Despite those concerns, sports ministry adviser Asif Nazrul has taken a firm position, repeatedly stating that Bangladesh will not compromise and wants its matches relocated, preferably to co-host Sri Lanka.
Category: Breaking News
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