![Bangladesh team in action [Source: @tapmadtv/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767856522240_bangladeshint20worldcup.jpg?type=hq)
Bangladesh team in action [Source: @tapmadtv/X]
The tension between India and Bangladesh doesn't seem to ease anytime soon. Amid the strained geopolitical relations between the neighbouring countries, Bangladesh stands firmly on its demand to shift its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka. If the ICC doesn't meet its demands, Bangladesh won't think twice about pulling out of the marquee cricketing event, as stated by the government's sports ministry adviser, Asif Nazrul.
Bangladesh government official warns ICC of T20 World Cup withdrawal
Bangladesh has been an active member of the global cricket community since being granted ICC full membership in 2000. The Tigers have always brought competitive spirit to the cricket field, even registering remarkable wins across multiple World Cup editions.
However, the upcoming T20 World Cup might not witness Bangladesh's participation if the ICC doesn't solve the BCB's security issues. The political turmoil in Bangladesh has led to a sudden paradigm shift in the country's relationship with India.
As a result, the BCB fears that the Bangladesh players, as well as the team's supporters and media personnel, might face serious opposition and security concerns when they travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup edition. This is the reason why the BCB wants the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches from India to Sri Lanka.
However, according to the Bangladesh government's adviser to the sports ministry, Asif Nazrul, the ICC has failed to understand the crux of the matter despite the BCB's sincere and persistent attempts.
He reckoned that the Tigers won't feature in the T20 World Cup unless the ICC discusses the matter with the BCB and proposes a practical solution.
“We are a cricket-crazy nation and we definitely want to play. But we do not want to play the World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists or at the (cost of) the country's dignity," Nazrul was quoted as saying by TOI.
"After reading the letter we received from the ICC today, it seems that they have not fully understood the serious security situation. It does not feel like only a security issue — it feels like an issue of national humiliation," he added.
Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2026 schedule
- Bangladesh vs West Indies - Eden Gardens, February 7
- Bangladesh vs Italy - Eden Gardens, February 9
- Bangladesh vs England - Eden Gardens, February 14
- Bangladesh vs Nepal - Wankhede Stadium, February 17
Led by Litton Das, Bangladesh are set to play their T20 World Cup matches against West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal across two Indian venues- Kolkata and Mumbai.
They are placed in group C and are scheduled to face the West Indies in their tournament opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Their subsequent two matches will be hosted by the same venue before they take on Nepal in their final group-stage encounter at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 17.
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