BCCI responds to T20 World Cup venue change demand of Bangladesh: 'Think about...'

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to the demand of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shift their T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka. Bangladesh’s sports ministry has advised the cricket board in the country to request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate their matches outside India. This development came after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh player Mustafizur Rahman from their squad following the instructions from BCCI.

The issue has created controversy in the two countries and the World Cup could get embroiled in the issue if BCB persist on not playing in India. BCB will be writing to ICC to shift their games for the World Cup which begins next month. However, BCCI remains confident that the tournament will be going ahead as planned.

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Pakistan will not be travelling to India for the World Cup and they will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are too pushing for a similar system but BCCI says that it will be next to impossible to change plans at this moment.

“You can’t just change games at someone’s whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked. Also on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done,” a BCCI source told PTI.

Bangladesh has been witnessing unrest in recent years and the country’s diplomatic relations with India have taken a hit since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

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A scheduled tour of India to Bangladesh which was postponed from 2025 to 2026 has yet again been put on hold due to the security situation in the neighbouring country. Now, Bangladesh’s board too is citing security concerns in their bid to relocate World Cup outside India.

Bangladesh’s four scheduled league games are – against West Indies (February 7), Italy (February 9), England (February 14) in Kolkata followed by their last game against Nepal (February 17) in Mumbai.