Jay Shah sends ICC delegation to Bangladesh to resolve T20 World Cup participation crisis
Published - 16 Jan 2026, 12:10 PM | Updated - 16 Jan 2026, 11:34 PM
A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to visit Bangladesh shortly to hold face-to-face discussions on the national team’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. The upcoming T20 tournament is scheduled to begin on February 7 and will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh’s sports ministry and the BCB are standing by their decision that the team will not tour India and will play matches only in Sri Lanka. The ICC urged the board to rethink its position, but the BCB did not change its view. Both sides have agreed to keep talks going in an effort to find options.
ICC Team Likely to Visit Bangladesh for Talks Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Sports adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that an ICC delegation may visit the country for talks. Speaking to the media at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday, Nazrul said that they are keen to take part in the World Cup but will not change their position on venues.
Nazrul said that the team wants to play the tournament in Sri Lanka and added that it is possible to make those arrangements without compromise.
“According to the latest updates, Mr. Aminul Islam [BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul] informed me that an ICC team is likely to come to Bangladesh for discussions. There is no chance of us changing our stance. We are eager to play in the World Cup, particularly in Sri Lanka, and I strongly believe that organising this is not impossible,” the sports adviser said.
BCB Official Confirms Ongoing ICC Talks, Visit Date Yet to Be Finalised
According to a report by The Daily Star, a BCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that discussions with the ICC are likely to take place. The official confirmed that talks are ongoing but added that no final schedule has been set yet, as the date of the delegation’s visit is still undecided.
“We are in discussions, and a delegation is set to arrive, but the exact date has not been determined. We are in communication, but the time is not fixed,” a BCB official said on condition of anonymity.
The BCB spoke with the ICC in a video meeting. During the call, the board said that the team would not travel to India due to security concerns and asked for Bangladesh’s matches to be played in Sri Lanka. The ICC noted that the tournament schedule had already been announced.
BCB Reaffirms Decision Not to Travel to India for T20 World Cup 2026
According to the statement, the BCB repeated its request for Bangladesh’s matches to be played outside India. The ICC asked the BCB to rethink its position, but the board said its stance has not changed.
“During the discussions, the BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns. The Board also reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh's matches outside India. While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board's position remains unchanged,” the BCB said.
Also Read: Bangladesh Premier League set to resume on Friday after BCB removes Najmul Islam
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