Bangladesh Seeks Group Change in T20 World Cup, Presses ICC to Shift Matches Out of India
Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked the ICC to move its T20 World Cup matches out of India and is seeking a group change to play games in Sri Lanka.
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The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider moving Bangladesh to a different preliminary group in next month’s T20 World Cup, as it continues to push for its matches to be shifted away from India and hosted instead in Sri Lanka.
The request was discussed during a meeting on Saturday between ICC officials and senior BCB office-bearers. According to a BCB statement issued after the meeting, one of the options explored was reassigning Bangladesh to another groupto resolve the issue with minimal logistical disruption. The ICC has not issued an official response so far.
The BCB reiterated its formal demand that Bangladesh’s matches be relocated to Sri Lanka, citing safety and security concerns for players, fans, media personnel and other stakeholders. The board also conveyed the views of the Bangladesh government on the matter. Both sides agreed to continue discussions in a “constructive dialogue.”
Current Group Scenario
The T20 World Cup features four groups of five teams each. Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.
Group B, meanwhile, includes co-host Sri Lanka, Australia, Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe, with all matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka. Reports suggest Bangladesh is seeking a group swap with one of the Group B teams.
A similar arrangement already exists for Pakistan, which is placed in Group A with India, but will play all its matches in Sri Lanka due to bilateral constraints.
Background to the Dispute
The BCB has maintained its position since January 4, a day after Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for IPL 2026, following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI).
The decision came amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh, including concerns raised by India over attacks on minority Hindu communities in Bangladesh.
Meeting Participants
The ICC delegation included Gaurav Saxena, General Manager (Events and Corporate Communications), who joined virtually due to a visa delay, and Andrew Ephgrave, General Manager of the ICC Integrity Unit, who attended in person.
The BCB was represented by president Md Aminul Islam, vice-presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.
