ICC, BCB Remain at Odds Over Venue for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 Matches

The ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board remained divided over hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, with venue clarity still pending weeks before the tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are yet to reach a consensus on the venue for Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, with the BCB continuing to push for a neutral venue instead of playing in any Indian city.

With just over three weeks remaining before the tournament begins, uncertainty persists over whether Bangladesh will travel to India for their scheduled fixtures. The BCB has approached the ICC multiple times, requesting that all of Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to co-host Sri Lanka, citing player safety concerns amid rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the ICC is exploring alternative venue options, but hosting Bangladesh’s matches in Sri Lanka appears unlikely despite the board’s insistence.

The report added that the ICC and the BCCI, who are co-hosting the tournament, have instead approached the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to explore the possibility of moving Bangladesh’s matches to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

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Both TNCA and KCA have reportedly expressed their willingness to host the matches. Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, already listed as a World Cup venue, is scheduled to host seven matches, including a potential Super 8 clash between India and Australia. TNCA officials have informed the ICC and BCCI that accommodating additional matches would not be an issue, as the venue has eight prepared pitches available.

The Bangladesh-India Tussle

As per the existing schedule, Bangladesh are set to play three matches in Kolkata, against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14, before travelling to Mumbai to face Nepal on February 17.

Tensions reportedly escalated after the BCCI requested IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Following this, the BCB raised concerns over security while travelling to India and wrote twice to the ICC seeking a change in venue.

The ICC is yet to issue a formal response but is expected to do so on Monday, January 12. However, given the logistical challenges and the proximity to the tournament’s February 7 start date, the chances of shifting Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka currently appear slim.