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.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided not to send its national team to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns and government advice. This follows the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) instruction.

Although the BCCI did not explicitly link the move to current Indo-Bangladesh relations, it stated that the decision was triggered by “what’s been happening all around.” Rahman’s sudden release prompted the BCB to hold an emergency meeting on Saturday night. After reviewing the situation again on Sunday, the Board decided the team will not travel to India for the tournament starting February 7.

BCB cites security risks for entire team

“The Board reviewed the situation in detail, taking into account developments over the last 24 hours and expressed deep concern over the overall circumstances surrounding the participation of the Bangladesh National Team in matches scheduled to be played in India,” the BCB said in an official statement.

BCB director Khaled Mashud Pilot elaborated on the security concerns, stating, “If they (India) cannot provide security to one of our players, how will they ensure security of our entire team? That is why we will not go there to play.”

Request to ICC to shift matches

Bangladesh has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of its T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka, the co-host of the tournament. “Such a step is necessary to safeguard the safety and well-being of Bangladeshi players, team officials, Board members and other stakeholders,” the statement read.

Government advisor Asif Nazrul also supported the move, highlighting the ongoing “violent communal policy” and instructed the board to explain the situation to the ICC. He further suggested that if Bangladeshi players cannot feel safe in India, the national team’s participation is not feasible.

Broadcast concerns and IPL response

Nazrul added that he has requested Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry to consider suspending IPL broadcasts in the country. The KKR franchise, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, had released Mustafizur, who was bought for Rs 9.20 crore, following the BCCI’s directive.

Tensions have risen in bilateral relations following the ouster of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last year amid anti-government protests and was later sentenced in absentia for her alleged role in a crackdown on students.