Two-member ICC team to visit Bangladesh on Saturday to resolve T20 WC controversy
A two-member team from the ICC is set to visit Dhaka, Bangladesh on Saturday with an aim to resolve the ongoing T20 World Cup issue.
New Delhi: A two-member ICC team will land in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Saturday to resolve the deadlock regarding the team's participation in the T20 World Cup 2026. The showpiece event is set to begin in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 and the BCB is adamant that it won't send its team to India citing security concerns.
With a hope to allay their security concerns, the ICC is set to hold talks with the BCB officials, already making it clear that change of venue at this moment is not possible. Bangladesh has been requesting the global governing body to shift its fixtures scheduled to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai, on the pretext of a security threat to its players and staff.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board raised this demand after their team pacer Mustafizur Rahman was abruptly removed from his IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders after a directive from the Indian cricket board. Meanwhile, the development regarding ICC's visit to Dhaka was confirmed by a source to news agency PTI.
ICC to resolve T20 WC row with Bangladesh
'Yes, that's the information (ICC officials' visit to Dhaka) at the moment. Discussions are going on at the moment, and all possible ways to handle the situation will be discussed. We expect Bangladesh government officials to also take part in the talks,' a source told PTI.
He additionally said that the BCB has already confirmed the same to the ICC of its apprehensions during a recent video conference, with regards to playing in Mumbai. Bangladesh is set to face Nepal in their final Group C match at the Wankhede stadium on February 17.
The Bangladesh board has informed the global cricketing body that remarks by a few politicians in India, of Mumbai origin, could be considered as a threat to the security of the players.
In addition, Andrew Ephgrave, the anti-corruption unit head of the ICC, too will be in Dhaka to look deeper into the incident of nine local players getting suspended by BCB for their alleged involvement in match-fixing.
(With PTI inputs)