The International Cricket Council has declined a late appeal from the Bangladesh Cricket Board to move Bangladesh’s group-stage matches of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup out of India, reaffirming that the tournament schedule will remain unchanged.
The decision was taken during an emergency virtual meeting of the ICC Board held on Wednesday, where the majority of member nations voted against the proposal. Only two boards supported Bangladesh’s position, leaving the request without sufficient backing.
Following the meeting, the ICC informed the BCB that it must confirm its participation in the tournament within 24 hours. If Bangladesh fails to provide confirmation within the stipulated time, the ICC will initiate the process of replacing them in the competition.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, the governing body reviewed multiple security evaluations, including independent assessments, before arriving at its conclusion. These reports found no credible safety concerns for players, officials, media personnel, or supporters at any of the Indian venues scheduled to host matches.
Bangladesh had earlier proposed relocating its matches to Sri Lanka, citing apprehensions related to security. The board also explored alternative options, including a possible reshuffling of group fixtures with another participating nation. However, these proposals were not considered viable due to logistical constraints and existing commitments made to other teams.
The ICC noted that host authorities had provided detailed venue-specific security plans along with formal assurances regarding safety arrangements throughout the tournament. Based on this information, the council stated there was no justification for altering the tournament structure.
Bangladesh are currently slated to play three group matches in Kolkata during the early phase of the tournament before traveling to Mumbai for their final group fixture. The tournament is scheduled to run from early February to early March.
In a separate clarification, ICC representatives dismissed suggestions that unrelated developments in domestic leagues had any relevance to the World Cup’s security environment. Officials emphasized that participation decisions must be based solely on tournament-related considerations.
With the deadline now in place, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is expected to consult with relevant authorities before making a final call on participation. The ICC, meanwhile, has reiterated that preparations for the tournament will continue as planned.