ICC Turns Down Bangladesh’s Request to Shift T20 World Cup Matches Out of India: Sources

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to shift its T20 World Cup matches out of India, sources familiar with the discussions.

The decision was communicated during a virtual meeting between the two bodies. According to sources, the ICC made it clear that the tournament schedule and venues would remain unchanged and that Bangladesh would be required to travel to India for the competition. The global body also warned that refusal to play matches in India could lead to sporting consequences, including the possibility of forfeiting points.

However, sources within the BCB have said that no formal written communication has yet been received confirming the ICC’s decision.

The request from Bangladesh followed a sharp deterioration in relations between the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League. The BCCI had reportedly asked Kolkata Knight Riders to terminate Mustafizur’s contract, citing “developments all around,” amid political backlash in India over reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

In the aftermath, the BCB held an emergency meeting and subsequently approached the ICC, citing concerns over the safety and security of its players if they were to travel to India for the T20 World Cup. Bangladesh also referred to precedent, with BCB director Faruque Ahmed pointing to Pakistan’s participation in ICC events under a hybrid model as a possible alternative.

As tensions escalated further, Bangladesh announced a ban on the broadcast of the upcoming IPL season in the country. Speaking to India Today earlier, Faruque Ahmed said political developments had significantly strained ties between the two boards, adding that cricketing issues had become intertwined with broader geopolitical concerns.

Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman has moved on from the controversy, joining the Pakistan Super League shortly after his IPL exit.

While the ICC’s stance indicates little willingness to alter the World Cup schedule at this stage, the absence of official communication has left some uncertainty, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board yet to publicly clarify its next steps.