ICC firm on India fixtures for Bangladesh, hints at venue reshuffle

Although the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested that its upcoming T20 World Cup matches be moved out of India, the chances of such a shift appear slim. According to Indian media reports, the ICC is considering asking Bangladesh to play not in Sri Lanka, but at two alternative venues within India.

The BCB has written to the ICC twice, citing security concerns for Bangladeshi nationals on Indian soil and requesting that the matches be relocated to Sri Lanka. However, the ICC believes that changing the venue to another country at such a late stage would be logistically very difficult. As an alternative, Bangladesh’s matches may be scheduled in Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Earlier, BCB President Aminul Islam stated that even if the venues are changed within India, the matches would still be considered as being played in India.

According to the current schedule, Bangladesh are set to play four group-stage matches of the 10th T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7, all on Indian soil. Of these, the first three matches are scheduled to be held in Kolkata, with the final one in Mumbai. Cricbuzz reported that while the BCB remains firm on its demand to play in Sri Lanka, the ICC is instead exploring alternative venues within India.

Sources say the ICC and co-host BCCI have already been in contact with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). NDTV has also confirmed this information.

Meanwhile, ICC Chairman Jay Shah held a meeting with BCCI officials in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Sunday. However, it is not yet known whether any final decision was reached at the meeting regarding the proposed alternative venues.

NDTV reported that the ICC’s reasoning for proposing alternative venues within India may be linked to the recent experience of Bangladeshi umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat during the first ODI of the India–New Zealand series in Gujarat. In response to the BCB’s request to change venues citing security concerns, the ICC may point to this example and advise Bangladesh to continue playing in India.

The BCB’s security concerns stem from an incident on January 3, when Mustafizur Rahman was withdrawn from the IPL following threats from extremist groups. The BCB questioned how the safety of an entire team, along with journalists and spectators, could be ensured if the security of an individual player could not be guaranteed. Citing these concerns, the board formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved out of India.

Cricbuzz reported that it would be difficult to accommodate Bangladesh’s request due to logistical challenges ahead of the start of the World Cup. The ICC may announce its decision on the matter today, Monday.

If the ICC proposes a change of venue within India, it remains uncertain whether the BCB will accept it. Speaking on Saturday about rumours of a venue shift from Sylhet to Chennai, BCB President Aminul Islam said, “Any alternative venue in India will still be within India. We are not making the decision alone. We will take a final decision after discussions with the government. We remain where we were before.”