Big News: BCB shoots fresh letter to ICC seeking change of venue for T20 World Cup matches

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) escalated its standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on January 8, formally submitting a second letter to change their 2026 T20 World Cup venues from India to Sri Lanka. As per a PTI report, in this latest letter, the board detailed specific security concerns regarding travel to India and reiterated its firm demand to have its matches relocated to Sri Lanka. This comes at a critical time, as the tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

BCB writes another letter to ICC over T20 World Cup venue change

The friction between the two boards intensified following the sudden withdrawal of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. The BCCI reportedly directed his release, citing vague "developments all around" as the justification for the move. This incident appears to have been the catalyst for Bangladesh’s refusal to travel to India, leading the BCB to seek government intervention and consult with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul before drafting their formal response to the ICC’s inquiries.

According to a source close to the BCB, the ICC had specifically requested a breakdown of the security apprehensions held by the board. While the contents of the letter remain confidential, the source confirmed that the BCB has now officially outlined those areas of concern. Despite the looming deadline and the logistical complexity of moving matches, the Bangladesh board remains steadfast in its push for a venue change to ensure the safety of its players and staff.

The ongoing dispute over Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup has reached a stalemate, as the ICC maintains a silence while demanding specific details regarding the BCB's security concerns. This tension has reportedly created a significant rift within the Bangladesh Cricket Board itself. While one faction supports a hardline approach, another more moderate group is advocating for continued dialogue with the ICC and Indian authorities, suggesting that the focus should remain on securing "foolproof" protection for the squad rather than an outright boycott of the venues.

At the center of this uncompromising stance is sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul, whose vocal criticisms of India have signaled a sharp departure from the traditionally cordial relationship between the BCB and the BCCI. This diplomatic friction was further exacerbated by the forced release of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, a move that followed reports of attacks on minorities within Bangladesh. These geopolitical undercurrents have transformed a sporting schedule into a complex security and political debate.

Despite the BCB's persistent demands to relocate their matches to Colombo, the ICC has given no formal indication that a venue shift from Kolkata and Mumbai is under consideration. However, the BCB remains hopeful, asserting that the global governing body has at least expressed a willingness to collaborate on a thorough assessment of the flagged risks. With the tournament less than a month away, the pressure is mounting on all parties to find a resolution that ensures the safety of the players without compromising the World Cup itinerary.