ICC, BCB at deadlock over ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Image Credits: X
It has been two days since the Bangladesh Cricket Board sent a second formal request to the International Cricket Council seeking a change of venue for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka.
As per earlier reports, the ICC was expected to respond to the BCB’s request within 48 hours. However, after the development, BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed that the board is still awaiting a response from the apex cricket body.
The Bangladesh-India T20 World Cup 2026 tussle
For those unaware, the growing tussle between Bangladesh and India has led to unrest between the two nations’ cricket boards, with minor involvement from government authorities as well. Bangladesh has remained firm on its stance of not sending players to India due to security concerns.
After several negotiations, India was even willing to take back Mustafizur Rahman for the IPL, after earlier releasing him amid a boycott trend against Bangladesh on Indian social media platforms.
BCB president confirms ‘no response’ from ICC yet
Nevertheless, Aminul Bulbul once again reiterated that the BCB’s position remains unchanged.
“We haven’t yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs outlining our concerns,” Bulbul told reporters, as quoted by PTI.
Earlier, Bangladesh government sports advisor Asif Nazrul stated that Bangladesh is strict about its stance and will not compromise the country’s dignity by playing in India. Nazrul also said that the ICC is yet to fully grasp the seriousness of the security concerns raised by Bangladesh.
"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, at the cost of the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or at the cost of the country's dignity," Nazrul told reporters.
ICC to be the decider as a lot is at stake
Meanwhile, with uncertainty continuing to grow, Bangladesh’s cricketers have also weighed in with their opinions on the issue.
What started with Mustafizur Rahman’s release from the IPL has now turned into a national, diplomatic, and political matter, centred around player safety and security concerns. With the ICC ready to hold further discussions, a response is now expected very soon on the venue row of T20 World Cup 2026.
.jpg?type=mq "3 Problems for Pakistan in T20 WC 26")
