The T20 World Cup 2026 was supposed to be about cricket. Instead, the drama around it just doesn’t continue to stop. First it was refusals, then some political standoffs and now visa issues have entered the picture. But this time, it is not the players who are at the receiving end. The ICC representative landed in Dhaka to sort out Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India, but even that trip came with its own controversy.
A senior ICC official of Indian origin, part of the planned delegation, could not travel after failing to secure a Bangladeshi visa, leaving Andrew Ephgrave to walk into the talks alone.
Ephgrave, the ICC’s Head of Anti-Corruption and Security, is now carrying the entire burden of negotiations with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the country’s sports ministry. The times are desperate. The tournament starts on February 7, and Bangladesh have made it clear they will not cross the border to play their four group games scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Their demand remains that the team will only play the T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka, the co-hosts alongside India.
ICC envoy walks in alone as clock ticks for T20 World Cup
Ephgrave’s visit is aimed at convincing Bangladesh that India can provide foolproof security for their four group matches scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. The BCB, backed by the Bangladesh government, has repeatedly refused to send the team to India. The ICC visit was meant to cool things down. Instead, the visa episode has shown just how tense the situation has become between the India and Bangladesh.
As per Bdnews24, Ephgrave is expected to present a detailed security plan, explaining how the Bangladesh team would be protected in India and why the ICC believes there is no real threat. He will meet not only BCB officials but also representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
With their anti-India stance, Bangladesh just doesn’t want to play matches in India. However, the ICC, in consultation with the BCCI, previously sounded out both the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) regarding the possibility of hosting Bangladesh’s group-stage games in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. Both associations have indicated their willingness to accommodate the matches if required.
Bangladesh’s T20 WC 2026 schedule
| Date | Match No. | Teams | Venue | IST Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Feb 7, 2026 | 2nd Match | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Mon, Feb 9, 2026 | 7th Match | Bangladesh vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 11:00 AM |
| Sat, Feb 14, 2026 | 23rd Match | England vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:00 PM |
| Tue, Feb 17, 2026 | 33rd Match | Bangladesh vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:00 PM |
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