Amid the ongoing drama between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan has now offered to host the former’s T20 World Cup games. This development comes after Bangladesh wrote to the ICC last week seeking relocation of their matches from India to Sri Lanka amid soaring tensions between the two countries. While the ICC was set to deliver its verdict on the matter by January 10, Pakistan has now entered the scene and has made an unique proposition.
Pakistan to host Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup games?
As per Geo Super, Pakistan has conveyed their interest in hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures if Sri Lanka cannot do so. The publication cited a PCB source claiming the country was fully prepared to host T20 World Cup matches. The Champions Trophy 2025 was the last ICC men’s event that was hosted by Pakistan, with UAE serving as the co-host for the tournament due to India’s unwillingness to travel to the country for the tournament.
“The sources further stated that Pakistan has already successfully hosted major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifier, and is therefore capable of organising these matches smoothly as well,” the report stated.
Earlier, reports claimed that the ICC had categorically denied Bangladesh’s relocation plea and had instead warned the BCB that the team would have to forfeit their points if they don’t travel to India. However, the BCB denied any such reports and claimed that the ICC had vowed to work with them closely on the matter. The issue began when BCCI forced Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman before IPL 2026, citing the growing unrest among the public across India.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three games in Kolkata and one in Mumbai in the group stage of the T20 WC. While the BCCI has already indicated that moving the T20 World Cup games in the last minute to be a logistical nightmare, the ICC is yet to give its final verdict on the matter. Should Bangladesh be given an exemption, then they will be the second side apart from Pakistan to play their matches at a neutral venue.
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