BCCI Sends New Letter to ICC, Requests Venue Change for T20 World Cup Matches

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing dispute over the venue for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has once again sent a formal letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), reiterating its demand to move its World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. This comes after the BCB’s earlier insistence on the matter and discussions with players regarding safety concerns.

The BCB's request to the ICC’s independent Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) highlights the board’s determination to address the security risks faced by the Bangladesh team in India. The committee, known for resolving ICC-related disputes, has been asked to evaluate the issue, and BCB officials hope for a positive response.

The DRC, which operates under English law in London, is an independent body that deals with the legal interpretation of ICC regulations and disputes that arise between member boards, players, or officials. The committee's decisions are final and binding, with very limited room for appeals.

Bangladesh’s Position:

Asif Nazrul, the Sports Adviser of Bangladesh, reaffirmed that the government and BCB's decision not to travel to India is based solely on security concerns. The board has repeatedly expressed that its stance is final, asserting that no significant changes in security conditions in India have been made since the original concerns were raised.

“We cannot overlook the security risks based on a hypothetical analysis. These concerns are based on real incidents, such as the recent removal of one of our top players from an IPL franchise under pressure from extremist groups. The security issues remain unresolved,” said Nazrul after a meeting with the players on January 22, 2026.

The BCB’s decision follows an earlier controversy in January, when Bangladesh cricketer Mustafizur Rahman was unexpectedly dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL squad. The incident raised questions about the safety of Bangladesh players in India, further intensifying fears over their participation in the World Cup.

ICC’s Response:

On January 21, 2026, during an ICC Board meeting, Bangladesh's request for a venue change was rejected. The ICC clarified that the schedule would remain unchanged, with the matches scheduled to take place in India. The governing body urged the BCB to consult with the government and confirm whether Bangladesh would participate in the World Cup, giving them a deadline of one day to provide a definitive answer.
 

In a statement, the ICC said, “Decisions regarding venue and scheduling are made based on a neutral security assessment, host country assurances, and participation requirements for all 20 teams. Without an independent assessment indicating a severe risk, moving the matches is not feasible as it would lead to logistical and scheduling complications for all teams and fans globally.”

The BCB, however, remains firm in its stance. “There has been no change in our security concerns, and we cannot compromise on the safety of our players,” said BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul.

The Crisis Trigger:

The controversy began after Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL removal, which was attributed to threats from extremist groups. This prompted the BCB to question how India could ensure the safety of an entire team if one player’s security could not be guaranteed. Following consultations with the government, the BCB officially informed the ICC on January 4, 2026, that Bangladesh would not send its team to India for the World Cup, citing security risks.

While the ICC has downplayed the connection between the IPL incident and the broader security concerns for the World Cup, the BCB’s position has not shifted.
 

As the World Cup approaches, Bangladesh’s stand continues to add uncertainty to the tournament’s logistics, with the BCB lobbying for a relocation to Sri Lanka, despite resistance from the ICC. The situation remains fluid, and all eyes are now on how the dispute will be resolved in the coming weeks.