As per latest reports from ESPN Cricinfo, the ICC is all set to meet with the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB] in a bid to resolve the problem of Bangladesh refusing to play their 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India due to deteriorating relations between the two countries. ESPNcricinfo has reported that there is a call scheduled for Tuesday between BCB and ICC. During the meeting, ICC is likely to request the BCB to allow the Bangladesh team to play its group matches in India as per the existing schedule. There will be a lot of logistics nightmare if the matches are moved.
The 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka begins next month. Bangladesh are playing their first three Group C games in Kolkata against West Indies, Italy and England). While their final game against Nepal is in Mumbai. The tussle between both the boards started when Mustafizur was released from KKR team.
The Bangladesh pacer had been bought for INR 9.2 crore by KKR at the IPL auction last month. After receiving backlash amid rising tensions between the two countries there was directive to remove Mustafizur from the KKR squad. It is understood that there has been no IPL governing council meeting so it was a decision taken in short notice.
On Sunday after this issue, the BCB wrote to the ICC requesting that the governing body should consider moving all of Bangladesh’s matches outside India, citing the safety and well-being of the players and they felt players will not get security. In its communication to the ICC, the BCB said it is acting on the advice of the Bangladesh government. The BCB took a bold stance, though the Bangladesh government has not issued a travel advisory or imposed restrictions on its citizens travelling to or living in India. So it looks like this decision could be BCB.
Bangladesh government also asked to ban the broadcast of IPL in the country. ICC has not made a public comment on the issue of moving matches away from India. The top management of ICC, including chairman Jay Shah, were at the BCCI head office in Mumbai on Monday, deliberating on the development and the next steps. We might get more clarity once the meeting takes place on Tuesday.
