The ongoing tussle between Bangladesh and India over relocation of the former’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches to Sri Lanka continues, with the story taking a new turn now. Earlier today, ESPNCricinfo reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had served an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), informing it that the team must either travel to India or risk forfeiting their points. However, the BCB has now trashed the report and has claimed that no such decision has been conveyed to them.
BCB statement
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Board’s expressed concerns over the safety and security of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team in India for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, including the request for relocation of the team’s matches. In its communication, the ICC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the full and uninterrupted participation of the Bangladesh team in the tournament. The ICC has conveyed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and has assured that the Board’s inputs will be welcomed and duly considered as part of the detailed security planning for the event. BCB has also taken note of certain reports published in a section of the media suggesting that the Board has been issued an ultimatum in this regard. The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, unfounded and do not reflect the nature or content of the communication received from the ICC. The Board will continue constructive engagement with the ICC and relevant event authorities in a cooperative and professional manner to arrive at an affable and practical solution that ensures the smooth and successful participation of the team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board remains firmly committed to placing the highest priority on the safety, security and well-being of the Bangladesh National Cricket Team,” the BCB statement read.
BCB deny getting ultimatum from ICC over T20 World Cup
As per Bangladesh publication The Daily Star, a BCB official claimed that there was no such conference call between the BCB, BCCI and ICC officials and that the global body had responded to the board’s mail on Tuesday night. The official claimed that the global body had raised some queries. The official added that no such ultimatum has been mentioned in the mail sent by the ICC. Meanwhile, a Cricbuzz report has claimed that the ICC will deliver its final verdict on January 10.
“The ICC responded to our mail last night. The news published by ESPNcricinfo isn’t right. There was no conference call. They sent us an email and raised some queries. We will issue a media release shortly. No kind of ultimate issue was mentioned in the email,” the BCB official said.
As per ESPNCricinfo, the BCB was told by the ICC that its request has been rejected during a virtual call on Tuesday. The global body reportedly said that Bangladesh would have to travel to India to play their T20 World Cup matches or would have to risk forfeiting their points if they refuse to do so.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play three T20 WC 2026 matches in Kolkata and one game in Mumbai. The BCB’s plea to relocate their games to Sri Lanka will be a logistical nightmare for the organizers and the broadcaster, as pointed out by a BCCI source earlier.
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