The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly cracked the whip on Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and has rejected their request to relocate their T20 World Cup games from India to Sri Lanka. This comes days after the BCB wrote an email to the global body seeking the relocation of their matches citing security concerns for their players in India. While reports on Tuesday claimed that the ICC would try and convince Bangladesh to play all their matches in India, it has now come to light that the BCB has perhaps been served an ultimatum.
ICC refuses to entertain Bangladesh’s plea
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. The report claims that the BCB has denied any such communication from the ICC. Neither the BCCI or the BCB have issued any official communication about the call with ICC officials on Tuesday.
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.
On Tuesday, reports stated that Bangladesh had sought time from the ICC to revert on their plea to relocate T20 WC games to Sri Lanka and had said that it would respond after consulting the government. The report also stated that the ICC was willing to keep a Plan B ready. However, it looks like the ICC has made up its mind and that Bangladesh’s plea will no longer be entertained.
