The Bangladesh Cricket Board has urged the ICC to consider a group swap with Ireland ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, a move that would allow them to play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board(BCB) has approached the International Cricket Council(ICC) seeking a group swap for the T20 World Cup 2026. The tournament begins on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Officials from both bodies met in Dhaka on January 17 to discuss the request.
Bangladesh proposed a swap with Ireland in Group C. The change would allow Bangladesh to play all group matches in Sri Lanka. Ireland is currently scheduled to face Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman in Colombo, with another match in Kandy against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh is placed in Group B and is set to play three games in Kolkata against the West Indies, Italy, and England. They then travel to Mumbai to face Nepal. BCB cited safety and security concerns for players, fans, and media.
Bangladesh Raise Concerns Over Playing Matches in India
Notably, Bangladesh’s hesitation over travelling to India came after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026. The decision followed pressure from political and religious groups in India, according to reports.
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Sports adviser Asif Nazrul publicly urged BCB to reassess participation in the tournament. As public and political sentiment grew stronger, Bangladesh’s sports ministry stepped in. The ministry advised the BCB to formally approach the ICC with a request to relocate Bangladesh’s World Cup matches away from Indian venues.
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