Bangladesh seeks relocation of T20 World Cup matches amid safety concerns

Bangladesh plans to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request that its matches in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup be shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing concerns over player safety amid rising political tensions in the region.

A senior government official said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been asked to formally write to the ICC following the removal of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this week. The official said the incident raised broader questions about the security and treatment of Bangladeshi players.

According to the adviser overseeing sports affairs, the BCB has been instructed to seek clarification from the ICC and highlight concerns that if an individual player could not continue in a league despite a contract, the national team could feel insecure competing at the World Cup.

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul said the board would hold an emergency meeting to assess the situation, adding that player safety and dignity would guide any decision taken.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February to March. Bangladesh is currently set to play all of its group-stage matches at venues in India, including Kolkata and Mumbai.

The issue follows confirmation by the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise that Mustafizur Rahman had been released from their IPL squad after guidance from the Indian cricket board. Officials cited unspecified developments behind the decision.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have been strained in recent months, with diplomatic tensions and protests affecting bilateral engagements. These strains have also impacted sporting ties, with several cricket tours between the two countries postponed.

If the ICC approves Bangladesh’s request, it would become the second team to have its World Cup matches relocated away from India. Pakistan’s fixtures are already scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka under an existing ICC arrangement.