The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday said it has no knowledge of any communication between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding Bangladesh’s demand to move its matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 out of India.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the Indian board is currently “not in the loop” on the matter and remains unaware of any formal discussion between the ICC and the BCB over the issue.
“As of now, BCCI is not in the loop regarding any communication between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the ICC, so we are totally unaware. Once we receive information, we will keep you updated,” Saikia told ANI.
BCB-ICC Meeting Held
The statement comes after a video conference between the BCB and the ICC held on Tuesday afternoon, during which Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup was discussed. The tournament is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, the BCB reportedly requested the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh’s matches outside India, citing concerns over player safety. However, the ICC noted that the tournament schedule has already been finalised and urged the BCB to reconsider its position. Despite this, Bangladesh’s stance remained unchanged, and both sides agreed to continue discussions to explore possible solutions.
The BCB has reiterated that its primary concern is the safety and well-being of its players, officials and support staff, while continuing constructive engagement with the ICC.
Background to the Dispute
The BCB’s demand reportedly intensified after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad following instructions from the BCCI. The move came amid reports of ongoing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh, adding to the already strained situation.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul claimed there was “no atmosphere to play” the T20 World Cup in India, referring to what he described as a letter from the ICC’s security team. The comments were reported by Bangladesh state news agency BSS.
ICC’s Stand on Security
ICC sources, however, have firmly rejected suggestions that Bangladesh cannot safely play its scheduled matches in India. According to ICC officials, independent risk assessments conducted by internationally recognised security experts have assessed the overall security risk for the tournament in India as low to moderate, consistent with most major global sporting events.
The assessments reportedly found no specific or direct threat to the Bangladesh team, its officials or match venues in India. The risk associated with Bangladesh’s fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai has also been rated as low to moderate, with no indication of risks that cannot be managed through standard security planning and mitigation measures.
ICC sources said the governing body is aware of recent public statements concerning Bangladesh’s participation and clarified that selective references to security assessments have been misleading. The ICC added that security planning for the T20 World Cup remains under continuous review and that participating members, including the BCB, are being consulted throughout the process.
“It is important to clarify that the ICC’s independent risk assessments do not conclude that Bangladesh cannot play its scheduled matches in India,” an ICC source said.
The ICC further expressed full confidence in the security arrangements being developed in collaboration with the BCCI and local authorities, noting India’s proven track record in successfully hosting major international sporting events.
Schedule Remains Unchanged
Despite ongoing discussions, the ICC has reiterated that the match schedule has been finalised and published, and all participating teams are expected to meet their obligations under the tournament’s Terms of Participation. At the same time, the ICC said it remains open to transparent and professional dialogue to ensure the safety and integrity of the event.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are set to open their campaign against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on the opening day. They will then face Italy on February 9 at the same venue, followed by a clash against England, the 2022 champions, also in Kolkata. Bangladesh will conclude their group-stage campaign against Nepal on February 17.