The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has sent a second formal communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC), outlining specific security concerns related to travelling to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, according to media reports.

The renewed correspondence comes amid growing internal differences within the BCB over whether Bangladesh should participate in the tournament in India or push for a venue change to Sri Lanka. The global event is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

According to a source close to the board, the latest letter was sent after discussions between the BCB and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul. The ICC had sought clarity on the nature of Bangladesh’s security apprehensions, prompting the board to detail its concerns in the second communication.

However, the contents of the letter have not been made public.

Board divided over travel to India

Media reports indicate that the Bangladesh Cricket Board itself remains split on the issue. One section of the board supports Asif Nazrul’s firm position against travelling to India, while another group prefers continued dialogue with the ICC and Indian authorities.

The latter faction is said to be advocating for enhanced and foolproof security arrangements for the Bangladesh team throughout its stay in India, rather than an outright refusal to participate.

Nazrul, who has previously expressed strong views against India, is believed to have taken a tougher stance than the board’s traditionally cooperative approach with Indian cricket authorities.

Government backs demand for venue change

Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain has meanwhile confirmed that the national team will not travel to India for the World Cup, citing safety concerns. He said the government supports the sports adviser’s demand that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament.

“We will certainly play outside India,” Hossain was quoted as saying, adding that the safety of players and supporters travelling to India must be taken into account.

The standoff follows the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL earlier, after Indian cricket authorities cited unspecified “developments all around.” That decision reportedly came in the backdrop of incidents involving attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

ICC yet to decide on venue shift

As of now, the ICC has not indicated whether it will move Bangladesh’s matches from Kolkata and Mumbai to Colombo. However, the BCB has maintained that the global body has shown willingness to engage with the board to assess the security concerns raised.

With the tournament approaching, uncertainty continues to surround Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be held in India.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka and warned the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of possible consequences if the national team refuses to travel, sources have confirmed.

The decision was conveyed during a virtual meeting held on Tuesday, where the ICC informed the BCB that the request could not be accepted, citing security-related assessments already in place for the tournament.

ICC warns of forfeiture if Bangladesh does not travel

According to sources, the ICC made it clear that Bangladesh is obligated to play its scheduled matches in India as part of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Failure to comply, the BCB was told, could lead to Bangladesh forfeiting points in the tournament.

No official communication has yet been issued by the ICC, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), or the BCB following the meeting.

World Cup schedule across India and Sri Lanka

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Bangladesh has been placed in Group C and is scheduled to begin its campaign in Kolkata with matches against the West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14.

The team is then set to travel to Mumbai for its final group-stage match against Nepal on February 17.

Row linked to Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL release

The controversy traces back to the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract with Kolkata Knight Riders. The decision followed a directive from the BCCI, which cited the prevailing political situation between India and Bangladesh.

It has been reported that the IPL Governing Council did not hold a formal meeting on the issue and that the instruction was conveyed from the highest level within the BCCI administration.

In response, the BCB banned the telecast of the IPL in Bangladesh this season and subsequently approached the ICC seeking a change in venue for its World Cup matches.

BCB emergency meeting and travel refusal

Following the developments, the BCB convened an emergency meeting of its board of directors to review the situation. In an official release, the board expressed serious concern over the circumstances surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in matches scheduled to be played in India.

The BCB stated that, based on an assessment of the prevailing situation and advice from the Bangladesh government, it had resolved that the national team would not travel to India for the tournament under the current conditions.

Despite the BCB’s stance, the ICC has now reaffirmed that Bangladesh must adhere to the existing tournament schedule.

In an unprecedented decision, the Government of Bangladesh has ordered an immediate ban on the telecast of the Indian Premier League (IPL) across the country, following a controversy involving national fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and his exclusion from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad.

The move comes amid strong resentment in Bangladesh over a directive linked to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which led to Mustafizur Rahman being released from KKR ahead of the 2026 IPL season. The pacer, regarded as one of Bangladesh’s most prominent cricketers, was expected to play a key role for the franchise.

Government cites public sentiment and lack of justification

In an official statement, the Bangladesh government said it had taken note of the decision concerning Mustafizur Rahman’s exclusion from the IPL squad and expressed disappointment over the absence of a clear explanation.

The statement said the decision had “pained, saddened, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” adding that no rational reason for the move was known. Under these circumstances, authorities directed broadcasters to stop the telecast of all IPL matches and related programmes until further notice.

The order, the statement added, was issued with approval from the competent authority and in the public interest.

Possible impact on T20 World Cup participation

The dispute has also widened beyond the IPL. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC), requesting that Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup be shifted out of India.

According to the communication sent on January 4, 2026, Bangladesh has conveyed that it would not send its national team to India for the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7. The board has asked for its fixtures, originally planned in Mumbai and Kolkata, to be relocated to Sri Lanka, citing concerns over player security and trust.

The developments have raised the prospect of prolonged strain in cricketing ties between India and Bangladesh, with potential implications for future bilateral engagements.