BCB urges ICC to change T20 World Cup group allocation

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider swapping Bangladesh’s group so the team can play the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.

An ICC delegation arrived in Dhaka on Saturday to hold talks with the BCB in an effort to resolve the deadlock over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament, scheduled from February 7 to March 8. Senior ICC officials discussed the issue with the BCB, which has remained unresolved since Bangladesh took a firm stance demanding that their matches be moved out of India.

Bangladesh’s participation remains uncertain after the BCB requested the ICC to relocate their matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The issue intensified after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries.

During a meeting with ICC representatives — including one official who joined virtually — the BCB formally proposed a group swap. According to Daily Sun sources, the BCB requested that Bangladesh replace Ireland in Group B, allowing them to play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.

Ireland are scheduled to face Sri Lanka, Australia and Oman in Colombo on February 8, 11 and 14, before playing Zimbabwe in Kandy on February 17. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are set to play three of their four group matches in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14 against the West Indies, Italy and England, before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal in their final group match.

In a statement, the BCB said it reiterated its request to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka and shared the government’s concerns regarding the safety and security of the team, fans, media and other stakeholders.

“The discussions were conducted in a constructive, cordial and professional manner, with all parties engaging openly on the relevant issues,” the statement said. “Among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed. The BCB and the ICC have agreed to continue constructive dialogue on this issue.”

The ICC delegation included Gaurav Saxena, General Manager of Events and Corporate Communications, who joined the meeting virtually due to a delayed visa, and Andrew Ephgrave, General Manager of the Integrity Unit, who attended in person.

The BCB was represented by President Aminul Islam Bulbul, Vice Presidents Shakhawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Operations Committee Chairman Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, and Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.