BCB adamant on playing T20 World Cup 2026 matches outside India despite ICC's multiple refusals

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had a video conference with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to discuss the participation of Bangladesh in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka next month. 

Who attended the meeting from BCB?

The meeting was attended by BCB President Md Aminul Islam, Vice Presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Director and Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.

In the talks, the Bangladesh Cricket Board stood by its decision not to send the team to India because of safety worries. The BCB again asked the ICC to think about moving Bangladesh’s matches to another country.

ICC's take on Bangladesh's request

The ICC pointed out that the schedule has already been released and asked Bangladesh to review its decision, but the BCB did not change its stance. Both sides agreed to keep talking to see if a workable solution can be found.

For the BCB, protecting players, coaches, and staff remains the top priority, and they plan to continue working with the ICC to settle the issue in a constructive way.

Why does Bangladesh want to play outside India?

Notably, after BCCI advised KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raised safety concerns about their participation in India in the marquee event. 

Bangladesh T20 World Cup 2026 schedule

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Litton Das (C), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shaif Uddin, Shoriful Islam