 "Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup citing safety and security concerns. Reuters")
The International Cricket Council has expressed “willingness to work closely” with the Bangladesh Cricket Board in order to ease the latter’s concerns about traveling to India for the T20 World Cup , which gets underway next month, and ensure their “full and uninterrupted participation”.
The Dubai-based governing body for the sport sprung into action after the BCB refused to send the Bangladesh cricket team to their neighbouring country for the showpiece T20I event. It was in retaliation to Mustafizur Rahman getting released from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League after being advised to do so by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The BCB, however, has since held talks with the ICC, currently led by ex-BCCI secretary Jay Shah, to discuss their concerns of playing their T20 World Cup Group C matches in India and their possible relocation to Sri Lanka – the co-hosts for the tournament.
BCB claims full co-operation from ICC on India travel concerns
And on Wednesday, the Bangladeshi board issued a statement which claimed that the ICC has “assured” that their inputs will be considered as part of detailed security planning for the tournament.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches,” read the BCB statement.
“In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event.”
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The statement, however, did not make any mention of an ultimatum from the ICC. The global body, after all, had reportedly shot down Bangladesh’s travel boycott and made it clear to them that they either had to play their group matches in India or risk forfeiting points.
The board, led by former Bangladesh opener Aminul Islam Bulbul, instead chose to categorically deny such reports, terming them “completely false and unfounded”.
“The BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard. The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC.
“The Board will continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant event authorities in a cooperative and professional manner to arrive at an affable and practical solution that ensures the smooth and successful participation of the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team.”
Bangladesh are placed in Group C along with two-time champions England and West Indies as well as Nepal and debutants Italy. They are scheduled to play three of their four matches at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens and later face Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.