ICC reworks T20 World Cup 2026 schedule after Bangladesh objects to playing in India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is revising the schedule for the T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested that its matches not be held in India, citing security concerns. The move follows tensions sparked by the removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad, further straining relations between the BCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

According to The Indian Express, ICC chairman Jay Shah has initiated the process of reworking the tournament fixtures in response to the ongoing standoff.

What triggered the dispute

The row began when the BCCI directed KKR to release Rahman, who had been purchased for ₹9.20 crore during the Abu Dhabi auction, amid tensions between India and Bangladesh following recent violence against minorities in Bangladesh. KKR complied, releasing the 30-year-old pacer from their squad.

In response, the BCB convened an emergency meeting and confirmed in an official statement that it had written to the ICC requesting its matches be moved to Sri Lanka, citing “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of its players.

Logistical challenges ahead

The T20 World Cup, scheduled to start on February 7, now faces significant scheduling challenges. Under the original plan, Bangladesh was set to play three Group C matches in Kolkata—against West Indies (Feb 7), Italy (Feb 9), and England (Feb 14)—before concluding its group stage against Nepal (Feb 17) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Reworking these fixtures on short notice is expected to be a major logistical task for the ICC and host nations.

Political pressure adds fuel

Sources say the BCB’s move was influenced by pressure from the Bangladesh government, which objected strongly to the BCCI’s directive to remove Rahman from the IPL.

Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Advisor in the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus, posted on Facebook:

“We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers, and the country. The days of slavery are over.”

He added that the BCB had been instructed to request the relocation of its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka and confirmed that he had written to relevant parties to suspend IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh squad and tournament details

The BCB has already named its 15-member squad for the World Cup, with Litton Kumer Das as captain. The 20-team tournament is slated to be played across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.

The developments mark a significant escalation in cricket diplomacy, reminiscent of past tensions between India and Pakistan, and highlight how off-field political and security concerns can impact global sporting events.