Every time a major event occurs in India, multiple issues create roadblocks. There was an idea that cricket is at least a smooth operator in India. But that has also turned out to be a misconception. If Pakistan wasn’t enough, Bangladesh is the latest headache, even though the ICC chairman and the CEO are both Indians. With just 18 days left for the start of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the international board hasn’t confirmed warm-up matches with Bangladesh continuing to push for their matches to be moved out of India due to “security concerns” (read diplomatic revenge).
After the BCCI removed Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026 for no fault of his own, or the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the Bangladesh government jumped in, terming it as humiliation. There is still no official clarity on who or what forced the BCCI to remove Mustafizur, apart from the social media chatter that points to violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. With the diplomatic relations between the two nations, which were friends until August 2024, cricket has to bear the brunt.
The Bangladesh deadlock
With no official communication on the situation from the ICC, there have been a lot of speculations and rumours. As per the latest update, ICC is set to announce a decision on January 21.
BCB wants Bangladesh matches to be shifted to Sri Lanka. The other option is to swap groups with Ireland to have all its matches in Sri Lanka. However, the ICC, at least as per reports, hasn’t agreed. It will also depend on Ireland whether they are comfortable with switching groups. Another solution is if Bangladesh relents. Their matches could be at one venue, like Kolkata, to offer maximum security possible. As per an ESPN Cricinfo report, Scotland could replace Bangladesh if they refuse to play in India and the ICC doesn’t budge.
With politicians ruling the roost in cricket, many hardliners in the BCB have publicly stated that the team won’t travel to India. One of the officials even discredited its own players.
“I am not aware that Scotland will be included in our place. If the ICC bows to pressure from the Indian Cricket Board and tries to impose pressure on us by setting unreasonable conditions, we will not accept those conditions. In the past, there were examples where Pakistan said that they would not travel to India and the ICC changed the venue. We have asked to change the venue on logical ground and we cannot be pressurised to play in India by putting illogical pressure,” Asif Nazrul, the Bangladesh interim government’s sports advisor, told the local media on Tuesday.
As for BCCI, it is waiting for the ICC to take the call. But unlike India or Pakistan, Bangladesh does not hold great influence in the ICC. That’s the reason the decision could go against the BCB. ICC will try to find a middle ground so that the tournament can proceed smoothly.
What about T20 World Cup warm-up matches?
With 20 nations competing in the event, organising a warm-up event would be tricky and it would need at least a week. However, many teams will have their own bilateral matches to warm up for the T20 World Cup 2026. For example, Pakistan will conclude their series against Australia on Feb 1. Co-host Sri Lanka will be busy with the England series. West Indies will be playing till January 31 against South Africa.
Another host, India, will conclude their five-match T20I series against New Zealand only on January 31. They could also avoid warm-up fatigue ahead of the mega event.
Hence, not all teams are in favour of warm-up games. However, associate nations could have their warm-up matches, and the schedule will be final soon.
The Pakistan problem
Pakistan have also added a new layer to the discussions as they have supported Bangladesh’s claims. While a Geo News report has suggested that Pakistan have stopped preparing for the T20 WC to put pressure on the ICC and the BCCI, those rumours have been squashed. Pakistan even showed interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches.
However, their support of Bangladesh has only delayed the decision. Without support, Bangladesh’s request would have been denied. If Bangladesh withdraws and so does Pakistan, both will have to pay a hefty penalty. Neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan can afford to withdraw from the T20 World Cup, as the financial cost of that will be damaging to both boards, even though politicians push their rhetoric.
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