ICC delegation to visit Bangladesh today, one denied visa

An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation is set to visit Bangladesh today amid growing tensions over the venues for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, though the visit is not aimed at reopening discussions on hosting arrangements, according to popular cricket Cricbuzz.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul said ICC official Andrew F. Grade, head of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Department, is arriving in Dhaka today. Another ICC official, an Indian national, is not part of the delegation due to visa complications, as Bangladesh has not issued a visa for the official.

Earlier, Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed to local media that ICC representatives would be visiting Bangladesh. However, sources indicate the trip is largely a damage-control effort to ease tensions rather than renegotiate World Cup venues.

The dispute arose following the removal of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), triggering widespread backlash within Bangladesh’s cricketing community. In response, the BCB raised serious concerns over player safety and formally requested that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka.

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with Bangladesh’s four group-stage matches originally slated to be played in India. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are already set to host Pakistan’s matches instead of India.

Despite discussions between the BCB and the ICC, no breakthrough has been achieved. Bangladesh has maintained a firm position that it will not play World Cup matches in India, citing security risks, and has requested permission to play in Sri Lanka even if group allocations need to be changed.

Sources say if the Bangladesh government stands by its decision, Ireland may be moved from Group C to Group B, a change that would require ICC approval. Against this backdrop, the ICC is sending a delegation to Dhaka in an attempt to persuade Bangladesh to adhere to the original schedule.

Following Mustafizur’s IPL exclusion, the Bangladesh government halted IPL broadcasts in the country, while the BCB reiterated that travelling to India under the current circumstances is unacceptable. India has reportedly offered enhanced security assurances, including protection comparable to that provided to heads of state, but Bangladesh remains unconvinced.