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New Delhi: A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to visit Bangladesh to discuss the country's participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, reports The Times of India (TOI).
The massive development came amid an ongoing controversy with Bangladesh's sports ministry and the BCB maintaining their stance that the national team will not play their matches in India, and want to shift them to Sri Lanka.
The ICC visit to Bangladesh is also confirmed by sports advisor Asif Nazrul, making it clear that the country is keen to play the T20 World Cup 2026, but there will be no compromise on the venue issue.
"According to the latest updates, Mr Aminul Islam (BCB president) 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," Nazrul said as quoted by the TOI.
According to a Daily Star report, a BCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the ICC visit, saying that they are in discussions, and a delegation is set to arrive in Bangladesh, but the exact date of the visit has not been determined. He further added that they are in communication with ICC, but the time is not fixed.
During a meeting with ICC last week, the BCB again reiterated its refusal to send the team to India due to security concerns and formally requested to shift Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC asked the BCB reconsider its stance as the tournament's schedule has already been announced.
Bangladesh's participation in the T20 World Cup came under the scanner after the heightened political tensions between the two countries. The BCCI instructed IPL franchise KKR to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its squad. After that, the sports advisor, Nazrul, has stated several times that Bangladesh won't travel to India for the T20 World Cup.
