Bangladesh reiterates change of venue for T20 World Cup, ICC rejects request

PTC News Desk: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. With the tournament less than a month away, Bangladesh’s participation remains uncertain as the BCB has formally asked the ICC to move their group-stage fixtures from India to Sri Lanka.

BCB President Md Aminul Islam, Vice Presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Cricket Operations Committee Chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury represented Bangladesh in the meeting and reiterated their demand. The BCB again cited “security concerns” as the reason behind seeking a venue change.

The ICC, however, responded by stating that the schedule has already been finalized and urged the BCB to reconsider. Despite this, the BCB’s official press release confirmed that Bangladesh has not altered its position and continues discussions with the ICC on the matter.

Financial Strain Amid India–Bangladesh Tensions

Ongoing tensions with India are causing further complications for Bangladesh, with a new report suggesting that the country is headed for another major financial setback.

Recently, several top Bangladeshi players were reported to be at risk of losing their sponsorship deals due to the deteriorating political climate between the two nations. After cricket gear company SG paused renewal discussions with star Bangladesh cricketers, another Indian sportswear manufacturer—Sareen Sports (SS)—has reportedly decided to stop producing its goods in Bangladesh.

SG sponsors several leading Bangladesh batters, including national captain Litton Das. As diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh worsened, SG is said to have put all renewal agreements on hold. SS, which previously manufactured its products in Bangladesh, is now withdrawing its sourcing operations from the country.