- PCB intervention believed to have little bearing on ICC’s position.
- ICC remains firm on maintaining existing tournament schedule.
- No public statement from PCB on the matter made so far.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressing support for Bangladesh’s concern regarding travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, just ahead of the governing body’s meeting on the matter, ESPNcricinfo reported.
In its correspondence, the PCB backed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) reluctance to play matches in India amid regional political instability. Sources said that the letter was also circulated among ICC Board members.
The ICC is reportedly set to make a final decision on Bangladesh’s involvement in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in its board meeting today (Wednesday).
The ICC will deliberate on Bangladesh’s request to relocate its World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in India. However, it remains unclear whether the PCB’s correspondence prompted the ICC to convene the meeting.
While the timing of the PCB’s intervention has drawn attention, it is believed to have little bearing on the ICC’s current position. The governing body has so far stood firm on maintaining the existing tournament schedule, not allowing Bangladesh to play its matches in Sri Lanka, one of the event’s co-hosts alongside India, as requested.
The ICC reiterated this stance to the BCB during discussions held last week.
Backed by the Bangladeshi government, the BCB has maintained its refusal to travel to India for the group-stage fixtures. Despite multiple rounds of talks between the ICC and the BCB, including a recent meeting in Dhaka over the weekend, neither side has shifted its position.
The ICC continues to insist that the matches proceed as scheduled, while the BCB remains unwilling to send its team to India.
The PCB’s entry into the issue follows days of speculation about its potential role in resolving the deadlock. Unconfirmed reports suggested that Pakistan had offered to host Bangladesh’s matches and that the PCB was even reconsidering Pakistan’s own participation in the World Cup, depending on the outcome of Bangladesh’s case.
The PCB has so far made no public statement on the matter.
Bangladesh ‘won’t back down to coercion’
Indian media reported that Bangladesh had been told to agree to play in India by today or risk being kicked out of the tournament. But the Dhaka government said they would not be pressured into changing their stance.
Bangladesh said they would not back down to “coercion” and play their T20 World Cup matches in India, casting doubt on their participation.
“We have logically requested a change of venue for valid reasons,” Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Adviser in the Bangladesh interim government, told the state-run BSS news agency late Tuesday.
“We cannot be forced to play in India through illogical pressure or unreasonable coercion.”
Bangladesh captain Litton Das said he had no idea if the team would take part.
“From where I stand, I´m uncertain, everyone is uncertain,” Das told reporters after a domestic match on Tuesday, asking back: “Are you sure we will play the World Cup?”
“I think at this moment, the whole of Bangladesh is uncertain,” he added in comments reported by Dhaka´s Prothom Alo newspaper.
Sources in Colombo said Sri Lanka had not been contacted about hosting Bangladesh’s matches.
One suggestion is that Bangladesh could be replaced by Scotland, the highest-ranked team who did not qualify for the World Cup.
The BBC reported that Cricket Scotland had not been contacted by the ICC, but were ready to take part should they get a late call-up.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, Bangladesh are currently slated to play their opening match against West Indies in Kolkata, followed by two more group games at the same venue, before concluding their group-stage fixtures in Mumbai.
The dispute traces back to the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 squad on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), without any official explanation.
This development was followed by the Bangladesh government banning the broadcast of the IPL in the country, after which the BCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play T20 World Cup matches in India — a position it has maintained since.
Earlier reports suggest that Pakistan was expected to reassess its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India-Sri Lanka, following increasing concerns related to the Bangladesh cricket team.
The Bangladesh government had reached out to Pakistan for support over its decision to skip travelling to India for the tournament, citing security concerns, sources told Geo News.
They added that Pakistan supports Bangladesh’s legitimate concerns, emphasising that they should be addressed and acted upon.
Pakistan has also stressed that no country should face pressure or threats from India, assuring Bangladesh of its full support on the matter.
