Bangladesh Requests ICC to Relocate T20 World Cup Matches from India to Sri Lanka Amid Escalating Tensions

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all of Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup from India to Sri Lanka, citing severe safety and security concerns for its players and staff.

This move comes amid heightened bilateral tensions, triggered by the controversial release of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to begin next month. Bangladesh, placed in Group C alongside England, Italy, Nepal, and the West Indies, was originally scheduled to play their group stage games in Kolkata and Mumbai.

However, following an emergency BCB meeting, the board resolved not to travel to India “under current conditions.” Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh’s Advisor for Youth and Sports in the interim government, stated on social media: “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers and the country. The days of slavery are over.”

He instructed the BCB to approach the ICC and also called for a ban on IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh.The Rahman saga ignited the crisis: Acquired by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 92 million in last month’s auction, he faced backlash from Indian Hinduthva extremist figures, including spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadrachary and Shiv Sena’s Anand Dubey, who accused him of links to terrorism.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) directed KKR to release him, citing “recent developments.” A BCCI official dismissed the request, insisting Bangladesh would play in India as scheduled.

This dispute highlights fraying India Bangladesh cricket ties, with no bilateral tours in over a year due to political issues. The ICC has yet to respond, but the request could disrupt the tournament’s logistics.