- By Himanshu Badola
- Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:17 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladesh T20 World Cup Controversy: The uncertainty around the venues for Bangladesh's matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 continues after the BCB wrote to the ICC, asking to shift their fixtures from India to Sri Lanka, as the cited security reasons in their official request, after their fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the KKR's squad ahead of the IPL 2026.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to start in February, it is yet to be confirmed whether Bangladesh will travel to India to play its scheduled matches. While the ongoing political and cricketing tensions between both countries remain a concern, Bangladesh are scheduled to play three games - vs West Indies (February 7), vs Italy (February 9) and vs England (February 14) in Kolkata before moving to Mumbai to take on Nepal on February 17.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, a couple of alternative venues are being explored by the ICC, and it is unlikely they will be in Sri Lanka, where Bangladesh insist on playing. It means that Bangladesh will have to play their World Cup matches in India, but the venues might be different. The report added that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have been sounded out by the ICC and the BCCI, the co-hosts of the World Cup and the option of moving Bangladesh's games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram is being explored.
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TNCA and KCA officials have reportedly expressed willingness to host the games. Notably, Chepauk is already a venue for the marquee tournament and is currently pencilled in to host seven games, including a potential India-Australia 'Super 8' fixture. TNCA officials are believed to have told the ICC and BCCI that they will have no problem, as they have eight pitches.
After the BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur, the BCB expressed their reluctance over travelling to India and has written twice to the ICC seeking a change of venue. On the other hand, the ICC haven't responded yet with any official update, but could only potentially do so on Monday (January 12).
Meanwhile, the BCB chief Aminul Islam Bulbul recently said the board would wait for the ICC's response before taking any further action. "I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he said.