BCB requests change of venue for T20 World Cup match

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches to a venue outside India.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

In a press release issued today following an emergency meeting, the BCB said the request was made in view of the “prevailing situation and growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India,” and in line with advice from the Bangladesh government.

According to the release, an emergency meeting of the BCB Board of Directors was convened this afternoon to discuss recent developments related to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

“After a thorough assessment of the situation and considering the government’s advice, the Board of Directors resolved that the Bangladesh National Team will not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions,” the statement said.

The Board reviewed developments over the past 24 hours and expressed serious concern about the overall circumstances surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be played in India.

Bangladesh, placed in Group C alongside West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal, is slated to play all its group-stage matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

“In light of this decision, the BCB has formally requested the ICC, as the event authority, to consider relocating all of Bangladesh’s matches to a venue outside India,” the release added.

The Board said such a move is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, board members and other stakeholders, and to allow the team to compete in a secure and appropriate environment.

The BCB said it expects the ICC to take note of the situation and provide an urgent response.