ICC to meet BCB over T20 World Cup schedule dispute:Bangladesh refused to travel to India for tournament after Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL omission

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to meet the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the dispute regarding the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule. Bangladesh earlier had refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, which the nation is co-hosting alongside Sri Lanka. This came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had asked Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman after facing threat from several groups. KKR had signed Mustafizur for a massive sum of ₹9.2 crore, making him the most expensive Bangladesh player in IPL history. The T20 World Cup 2026 is set to start on 7 February. Bangladesh also have demanded that their matches be held in Sri Lanka, citing security reasons. ICC started discussions with BCCI After the BCB refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup, the ICC started discussions with the BCCI. According to ESPN, the ICC might end up urging the BCB to go back on their refusal to visit India and play the tournament as per the normal schedule. Bangladesh, placed in Group C, are slated to play three of their four group matches at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Their other match is slated to be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ticket sales for group stage matches have started. All tickets for many matches have already been sold. In such a situation, if the schedule changes, ICC may have to refund the ticket money. Also read: Mustafizur Rahman not likely to receive ₹9.2 crore salary:Bangladesh’s IPL ban not likely to dent revenues of cash-rich league – Report What is the whole controversy?
KKR signed Mustafizur after a bidding war with Chennai Super Kings at the IPL 2026 mini-auction on 16 December. A few days later, a series of murders of Hindu youths began in Bangladesh. This triggered a massive uproar in India with several groups criticising KKR and franchise co-owner Shah Rukh Khan for signing a Bangladeshi player. Some major parties, including saints and seers, even called SRK a traitor. Taking into account all these protests, the BCCI asked KKR to release Mustafizur from the IPL. On 3 January, KKR also released Mustafizur from its squad. The BCB then held an emergency meeting and announced their decision to not travel to India for the T20 World Cup. They sought relocation of their matches to Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh government also banned IPL streaming and broadcast in their country. Bangladesh is in Group C
Bangladesh has been placed in Group C in the T20 World Cup. The Litton Das-led team will start their campaign against the West Indies on 7 February. They will then take on Italy on 9 February and England on 14 February. These three matches are scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Bangladesh’s fourth and final group stage match is against Nepal, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 17 February. Also read: ‘How can India provide security to Bangladesh team?’:Mustafizur Rahman ‘sad’ after being left out of IPL, reveals BCB director Asif Akbar Pakistan to play all their matches in Sri Lanka
Pakistan are scheduled to play all their matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 in Sri Lanka. In 2024, the ICC announced that India and Pakistan would not play each other in their respective countries and will only face in neutral venues. This was after India had refused to travel to Pakistan to play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches last year. Even the India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026, on 15 February, will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka. If Bangladesh’s matches are shifted to Sri Lanka, it will be the second team, due to disputes, not to play the World Cup in India.