A day before the International Cricket Council (ICC) was due to take a final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally wrote to the ICC expressing support for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). In its communication, the PCB backed Bangladesh’s position that it is unwilling to travel to India amid ongoing political tensions in the region. The PCB also copied members of the ICC Board on the email.
The ICC has scheduled a Board meeting to discuss Bangladesh’s request to have its World Cup matches shifted from India to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. It remains unclear whether the PCB’s letter influenced the timing of this meeting. However, sources suggest that the ICC’s stance is unlikely to change. The governing body has consistently maintained that the tournament schedule will remain intact, with Bangladesh expected to play its matches in India, one of the co-hosts alongside Sri Lanka.
Despite several discussions between the ICC and the BCB — including a recent meeting in Dhaka — neither side has softened its position. While the ICC insists the fixtures must proceed as planned, the BCB, with backing from the Bangladesh government, has reiterated that it cannot send the team to India. January 21 had been set as the deadline for a final resolution, with the tournament just weeks away.
The PCB’s late entry into the issue follows speculation about its own options, including unconfirmed reports that Pakistan could host Bangladesh’s matches or even reconsider its own participation depending on the outcome. The PCB has not made any public comments.
The dispute traces back to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asking Kolkata Knight Riders to release Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad, a move widely linked to strained India-Bangladesh relations. Since then, the situation has escalated, even affecting Bangladesh’s domestic league amid player unrest and internal criticism, deepening uncertainty around the World Cup.
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