PCB sends letter to ICC expressing support for Bangladesh

A day before the final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) supporting the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) position of not wanting to play in India due to regional political instability. ESPNcricinfo reported that copies of the letter were also sent to ICC board members.

Meanwhile, the ICC board convened a meeting on Wednesday to discuss Bangladesh’s request to shift group-stage matches to Sri Lanka citing security concerns. It is unclear whether this meeting was called in response to PCB’s letter.

Although questions arose about the timing of PCB’s letter, ICC’s stance is not expected to change. The ICC has maintained that the World Cup schedule will not be altered, and Bangladesh will not be allowed to play in Sri Lanka. Last week, the ICC had also made this position clear in discussions with the BCB.

From the beginning, the Bangladesh government and BCB have maintained that it is not possible for the national team to play in India due to security concerns. Multiple meetings between the ICC and BCB, including one last weekend in Dhaka, have failed to resolve the matter. Wednesday, January 21, marked the deadline for the final decision, with less than three weeks remaining before the tournament.

PCB’s sudden involvement has added a new dimension. Rumours have circulated that PCB may offer to host Bangladesh’s matches in Pakistan. There is even speculation that Pakistan is considering its own participation in the World Cup depending on Bangladesh’s issue. PCB has not publicly commented on these speculations.

The tension began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to exclude Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from IPL 2026. Although no reason was provided, the deterioration of Bangladesh-India political relations was cited. Subsequently, the Bangladesh government formally announced that the national team would not play in India. The situation became more complicated during the Bangladesh Premier League with player boycotts and controversies over financial remarks by a senior BCB official.