The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to send a delegation to Dhaka in the coming days for a final round of talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) before taking a decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul shared the development while briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday. The BCB also confirmed ICC delegation’s visit to Bangladesh.
“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.
ICC’s visit will follow a video conference held on Tuesday between the global governing body and the BCB, during which Bangladesh’s participation in the marquee event was discussed amid growing security concerns over matches scheduled to be played in India.
Bangladesh’s tour to India for the T20 World Cup remains uncertain, with the BCB formally requesting the ICC to relocate its matches outside India, citing the “safety and security concerns” of players, officials and support staff.
The issue begun after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, a move that was subsequently implemented.
During the virtual meeting, the BCB was represented by president Aminul Islam, vice-presidents Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, director and Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and chief executive officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.
In the discussions, the BCB reiterated its position that it would not travel to India under the current circumstances and again urged the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh’s fixtures to an alternative venue. While the ICC pointed out that the tournament itinerary has already been finalised and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the Board maintained its position.
Both sides agreed to keep the dialogue open and continue discussions in search of a mutually acceptable solution. The BCB stated that it remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff, while engaging constructively with the ICC to resolve the matter.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are slated to open their campaign on the opening day against two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They are also scheduled to face Italy on February 9 at the same venue, followed by matches against 2022 champions England, also in Kolkata, before concluding their group-stage campaign against Nepal on February 17.
The ICC is expected to announce its final decision after the proposed Dhaka meeting.
