The ICC appears unwilling to approve Bangladesh’s request for relocating their T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures away from India, with the governing body’s security assessment categorizing the overall threat level as “low to moderate.” This comes despite strong claims from Dhaka suggesting that the team faces specific risks — claims the ICC’s independent review does not support.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play four league matches in India starting February 7, and the ICC maintains there is no direct or actionable threat to the squad that would justify altering the tournament schedule.
ICC Security Review Finds No Specific Threat
According to ICC sources familiar with the assessment:
- No targeted threat was identified against any Bangladesh player.
- The risk level for matches in Kolkata and Mumbai is considered manageable with normal tournament-level security.
- The situation does not warrant relocation of fixtures.
One ICC official stated:
“Independent security experts have assessed the overall risk as low to moderate — consistent with most global sports events. Nothing in the report indicates Bangladesh cannot safely compete in India.”
This directly contradicts comments made in Dhaka by Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, who suggested star pacer Mustafizur Rahman could be a factor in increased threat perception following his controversial IPL removal.
BCB Backtracks After Internal Communication Leaks
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) later clarified that the correspondence cited by Nazrul was part of internal discussions with the ICC’s Security Department — not an official ICC ruling or response.
In its formal statement, the BCB said:
- The advisor’s comments were based on internal documents.
- Bangladesh has indeed requested relocation “in the interest of team safety.”
- They are still waiting for an official response from the ICC.
Despite the clarification, the ICC remains confident that the existing arrangements are sufficient.
ICC: No Need to Alter Schedule
The ICC reaffirmed that preparations are progressing with the BCCI and local authorities, who have “a proven track record” of delivering major global sporting events securely.
“We are in continuous dialogue with all boards, including the BCB,” the source added. “Security planning is dynamic, but at this stage, there is no reason to modify the schedule.”
Unless a fresh development emerges, Bangladesh’s matches will go ahead as originally planned.
IPL Fallout Adds Fuel to the Fire
The controversy intensified after Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026, reportedly due to “developments all around.”
In response, the Bangladesh government banned IPL broadcasts in the country — igniting a diplomatic sporting row.
Within the Bangladesh cricket community, opinions remain divided:
- Tamim Iqbal urged restraint, warning that reactionary decisions could have long-term consequences.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto highlighted the mental strain on players amid uncertainty about their World Cup participation.
- Meanwhile, Nazrul continues to insist Bangladesh will not compromise on its demand.
What Happens Next?
Bangladesh’s request is still officially pending, but based on the ICC’s stance and security findings, venue changes appear highly unlikely.
The situation now hinges on:
- ICC’s formal written response
- BCB’s next move
- Possible political intervention in Dhaka
For now, all indications point toward the original India schedule remaining intact.
ICC, IPL , BCB , Mustafizur Rahman
