The Indian government has said it is ready to welcome all nations for the 2026 T20 World Cup and that the decision now rests with Bangladesh. Sources said the government is in regular touch with the BCCI and is monitoring day-to-day developments. Any response from Indian authorities will come only after Bangladesh takes a final stand.
According to sources, India will follow its sports policy and welcome every participating country at a multi-nation event, in line with the Olympic charter. Bangladesh’s choice to play in India, pull out, or ask for its matches to be moved will be entirely its own decision, and the first call has to be taken by Dhaka.
Sources also clarified that the situation with Bangladesh is different from Pakistan. India has a specific sports policy for Pakistan and does not play bilateral sports with them anywhere in the world. Teams from the two countries also do not travel to each other for one-on-one events. The BCCI and PCB have an understanding of playing at neutral venues even in multi-nation tournaments.
For Bangladesh, the government has assured full security arrangements if the team travels to India. The stance of the Indian government remains that every nation is welcome to participate. Whether Bangladesh decides to come or not is completely up to them.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20 World Cup matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has sent a second letter to the ICC raising concerns about travelling to India and has again requested that their matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The BCB said it explained its security concerns to the ICC after discussions with sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul.
Bangladesh Sends Second Request to ICC to Shift 2026 T20 World Cup Matches Over Security Concerns
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has sent a second letter to the ICC, again asking for Bangladesh’s matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be moved from India to Sri Lanka. The request is based on security concerns. This has increased the standoff between the BCB and the ICC just weeks before the tournament.
The T20 World Cup is set to start on February 7. Bangladesh are scheduled to play four group matches, with three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. So far, the Bangladesh team has refused to travel to India, which has created uncertainty about whether they will take part in the tournament.
The second letter was sent after discussions between the BCB and sports ministry advisor Asif Nazrul. According to a source close to the board, the ICC asked the BCB to clearly explain its security concerns, and the BCB has shared those concerns in detail. The exact details of the concerns have not been made public.
This issue has grown more serious after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the IPL following instructions from the BCCI. The BCCI cited “developments all around” for the decision. This move appears to have increased mistrust and made the BCB’s stand stronger.
The ICC has not yet made a public statement but has asked the BCB for clarity on the nature of the security worries. Inside the BCB, there is no single view. One group supports Asif Nazrul’s firm approach, while another group wants talks to continue with the ICC and Indian authorities, believing that strong security arrangements could solve the issue.
The BCB also denied reports saying the ICC had given them an ultimatum to either play as scheduled or forfeit matches. The board said such reports are false and do not reflect what the ICC communicated to them.
FAQs
Q. What is the Indian government’s stance on the 2026 T20 World Cup?
A. India is ready to welcome all nations for the T20 World Cup and will provide full security if Bangladesh travels to India. The decision to play or not rests entirely with Bangladesh.
Q. How many matches is Bangladesh scheduled to play in India?
A. Bangladesh is scheduled to play four group matches: three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.
Q. What happened with Mustafizur Rahman after his IPL removal?
A. After being dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders, Mustafizur Rahman was later picked up by the Pakistan Super League.
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