T20 World Cup 2026: ICC likely to suggest two alternate venues for Bangladesh matches amidst BCCI-BCB row

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to provide its recommendation regarding the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate the team’s matches from India for the T20 World Cup 2026. The ICC’s response is anticipated early this week.

The BCB had raised security concerns as the reason behind requesting the change of venue of their games to Sri Lanka. The issue emerged after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), following the instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, the ICC is reportedly inclined to suggest alternate venues within India rather than approving a shift to Sri Lanka.

Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram have emerged as the proposed options for Bangladesh’s group matches, which were originally scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai. Earlier, the BCB had expressed reservations about Chennai as a venue.

BCB president Aminul Islam reiterated that any final decision would need government clearance.

“Since you know that we are not taking decisions alone regarding this World Cup, we will discuss it with the government, and we are still where we stood,” he told reporters in Sylhet.

The Bangladesh government has also indicated that it expects to receive direct communication from Indian authorities concerning security arrangements for the T20 World Cup. The ICC is likely to reference the appointment of umpires like Sharfuddoula Saikat, who officiated during India’s first ODI against New Zealand, to reassure Bangladesh about safety protocols. When it comes to the World Cup, Saikat and Gazi Sohel are expected to feature as match officials.

With less than a month remaining before the tournament, teams are expected to arrive in the first week of February, with preparations and practice sessions set to begin immediately after their arrival. The ICC is keen to resolve the venue issue promptly in order to finalise the schedule ahead of the tournament and ensure proceedings remain uninterrupted.

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