Dhaka: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (PCB) has said it is willing to work closely with the International Cricket Council (ICC) board to ensure the team’s “full and unhindered participation” in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
The BCB issued the statement on Wednesday after calling on the ICC on Tuesday evening to discuss Bangladesh’s concerns about playing group-stage matches in India due to security issues and the possibility of relocating their matches.
The statement did not clarify whether Bangladesh would eventually play in India.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received a response from the International Cricket Council (PCB) regarding the Board’s concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh national cricket team in India for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, including the request to relocate the team’s matches,” the PCB said.
“The ICC reiterated its commitment to ensure the full and unhindered participation of the Bangladesh team. The ICC expressed its willingness to work closely with the BCB to address the concerns raised and assured that the Board’s inputs would be welcomed and considered as part of a comprehensive security plan for the event.”
Earlier reports emerged that the ICC had rejected Bangladesh’s request to relocate the match and warned the team that they would lose points if they refused to play in India.
Bangladesh, who have been placed in Group C, are scheduled to play their first three matches in Kolkata before facing Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai, West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14.
Losing points could knock Bangladesh out of the tournament, and the ICC has not indicated plans to field an alternate team in such a scenario.
The PCB has vehemently denied reports that it has been given an ultimatum over the national team’s participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The Board emphasized that such statements are totally false and misleading.
“The PCB has taken note of some reports that an ultimatum has been issued to the board in this regard,” the statement said. “The BCB categorically states that such claims are completely false, baseless and do not reflect the nature or content of the communications received from the ICC.”
“The PCB will continue to engage constructively in a cooperative and professional manner with the ICC and relevant event authorities to reach an amicable and practical solution that will ensure the team’s smooth and successful participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
The BCCI has ordered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to drop Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the 2026 squad as the controversy over Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India has strained relations between the two countries.