Cricket — Bangladesh board says ICC considering request to move their World Cup games from India
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Wednesday that the International Cricket Council is reviewing Bangladesh’s formal request to relocate their scheduled Twenty20 World Cup matches out of India, following heightened safety concerns.
The latest developments come during a period of strained relations between the two neighboring countries. Tensions escalated further when the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kolkata Knight Riders announced that they had been instructed by India’s cricket board (BCCI) to release Bangladesh pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the tournament.
In response, Bangladesh’s interim government placed a ban on broadcasting the IPL domestically, and the BCB stated it would not agree to play any of its World Cup games in India. India and Sri Lanka are currently set to co-host the tournament from February 7 to March 8, with Bangladesh scheduled for three group-stage fixtures in Kolkata.
The BCB said the ICC had reached out directly, reaffirming its intention to ensure Bangladesh’s full and uninterrupted participation in the competition. The governing body also expressed willingness to collaborate closely with the BCB and factor in its concerns when finalizing the event’s security arrangements.
Neither the ICC nor the BCCI has yet issued public responses to media inquiries. Meanwhile, reports circulating that Bangladesh had been warned to either play in India or forfeit their matches were dismissed by the BCB as completely inaccurate. Instead, the board emphasized ongoing discussions aimed at protecting the team’s ability to compete safely and successfully.
Political and social tensions between India and Bangladesh have intensified in recent weeks, with protests in New Delhi erupting after a Hindu factory worker tragically died following an attack in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district.
Behind the headlines, this story is about more than cricket. It is about players, staff, and supporters who simply want reassurance that safety and fairness come first. Sport is meant to bring people together. When politics and fear overshadow that spirit, the human cost becomes real. At the heart of this situation are young athletes who dream of representing their country with pride — and fans who only want to cheer them on in peace.