The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to move its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns.
The decision was made during a virtual ICC Board meeting held on Wednesday to discuss Bangladesh’s appeal.
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“The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will proceed as scheduled with Bangladesh’s matches to be played in India,” the ICC said in a statement.
The ICC stressed there is no credible threat to Bangladesh players, media personnel, or fans at any of the venues in India.
It also noted that making changes to the schedule with less than a month remaining before the tournament is “not feasible.”
READ: PCB supports Bangladesh’s decision to avoid playing T20 World Cup matches in India
“It was noted that it was not feasible to make changes so close to the tournament and that altering the schedule under the circumstances, in the absence of any credible security threat, could set a precedent that would jeopardise the sanctity of future ICC events and undermine its neutrality as a global governing body,” the statement added.
The ICC also highlighted that it had engaged in several discussions and correspondences with the BCB, providing detailed information on the security arrangements, including federal and state law enforcement support.
Bangladesh, drawn in Group C, are set to play their first three matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 — before finishing the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
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Following the ICC’s decision, the BCB, which was reportedly expected to announce its final stance on Wednesday, has not yet commented.
