The 2026 T20I World Cup is facing a major logistical crisis just weeks before its February 7 start date. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday with the BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) to address the latter’s refusal to play its scheduled matches in India.
The Reason of the Dispute between BCCI and BCB?
The tension erupted following a controversial directive from the BCCI, which instructed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from its 2026 squad. Mustafizur, who was the only Bangladeshi player secured in the recent IPL auction for INR 9.2 crore, was dropped without a clear public explanation.
In a swift reaction, the BCB wrote to the ICC on Sunday, formally requesting that all of Bangladesh’s Group C fixtures—originally slated for Kolkata and Mumbai—be moved “outside” India. The board cited the “safety and well-being” of its players, acting on advice from the Bangladesh government regarding the security of its citizens under the “prevailing situation.”
As the schedule currently stands, Bangladesh is set to open its campaign in Kolkata on February 7 against the West Indies, followed by matches against Italy and England, before heading to Mumbai to face Nepal.
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While the ICC has remained silent publicly, high-level deliberations took place at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Monday. Options reportedly on the table include:
- A “Hybrid Model”: Moving Bangladesh’s games to co-host Sri Lanka, similar to the arrangement used for Pakistan matches.
- Enhanced Security: Convincing the BCB to proceed with the original schedule under “head-of-state” level protection.
With the opening ceremony less than a month away, any venue shift would be a “logistical nightmare” for broadcasters and fans. However, if the BCB remains firm on its government’s advice, the ICC may be forced to redraw the tournament map to ensure the participation of all 20 nations.
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