Two senior officials from the International Cricket Council (ICC) are set to travel to Dhaka in a final attempt to resolve the deadlock surrounding Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has maintained its firm stance, demanding that their matches be shifted out of India for the February 7–March 8 tournament.
While the visit appears to be a last-minute diplomatic move to convince Bangladesh to reconsider, the ICC also views it as a confidence-building exercise. The governing body aims to reassure Bangladesh that it is an essential part of the global cricket structure and not being sidelined.
This intervention comes after a tense video meeting earlier in the week, during which BCB president Aminul Islam expressed strong dissatisfaction, bringing discussions to a near collapse. Despite the heated exchange, the ICC reached out again to reopen dialogue. Representatives from the Muhammad Yunus–led government are also expected to join the upcoming discussions.
At the heart of the dispute are two major concerns:
1️⃣ Bangladesh’s perception of a security threat to its players in India
2️⃣ The Mustafizur Rahman episode, tied to alleged security risks
According to ICC security assessments, India’s threat level is graded “moderate to low,” which is considered normal for major global events. Ironically, the assessment suggests that the perceived threat level within Bangladesh itself is higher, rated “moderate to high.”
The ICC delegation will emphasize that while Bangladesh’s concerns matter, the needs of the other 19 participating teams must also be considered. Allowing venue changes could set a risky precedent for future tournaments. The schedule was released on November 25, but the BCB remained silent for nearly three weeks, making last-minute alterations difficult.
Islam reportedly fixated on a hypothetical scenario mentioned in the report involving potential communal violence in India. Concerns were also raised regarding Mustafizur, including statements made by BJP and Shiv Sena leaders. The ICC has countered that security arrangements will be scaled up if risks increase—standard protocol for global tournaments.
The ICC also pushed back against the BCB’s reasoning, noting that hypothetical risks cannot be grounds to withdraw. As an example, they argued that a pro-Palestine rally in Paris doesn't automatically render France unsafe for sporting events. Another point of contention is that the BCB has not shared its own security assessment with the ICC or the BCCI.
During the video call, the ICC was represented by its chief of legal, chief of security, and CEO. The BCB delegation included president Aminul Islam, vice presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Operations chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.
BCB director Iftekhar Rahman confirmed to Cricbuzz that ICC officials will arrive on Saturday evening, with the meeting scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Rahman expressed hope that both sides would reach a resolution.
Bangladesh are currently slated to play three group matches in Kolkata—on February 7, 9, and 14 against West Indies, Italy, and England—before facing Nepal in Mumbai.
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