"You can't just change games” - BCCI reacts after Bangladesh board requests ICC to move their T20 World Cup 2026 games to Sri Lanka

According to a BCCI source cited in reports, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is unable to simply alter the location of Bangladesh's T20 World Cup 2026 matches due to the logistical challenges. 

Due to "concerns about players' safety" following Mustafizur Rahman's removal from the IPL on BCCI orders, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been directed by its sports ministry to look into moving the nation's T20 World Cup league matches from India to Sri Lanka.  

The Bangladeshi left-arm bowler, who was purchased for Rs 9.20 crore following a bidding war at last month's auctions in Abu Dhabi, was freed by the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in accordance with the BCCI's directive.

Aminul Islam Bulbul, the president of the BCB and a former captain of Bangladesh, declined to comment in public during an emergency board meeting. 

But according to government advisor Asif Nazrul, he has given the Board instructions to request that the Jay Shah-led ICC move Bangladesh's four league games—three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai—to Sri Lanka.

"As the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Sports, I have instructed the Cricket Control Board to put the entire matter in writing and explain it to the ICC. The board must make it clear that if a Bangladeshi cricketer, despite being under contract, cannot play in India, then the Bangladesh national team cannot feel safe travelling to India to play the World Cup. I have also directed the board to formally request that Bangladesh's World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka instead," Nazrul wrote in Bengali on his Facebook page.

Bangladesh will play four league matches—against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 in Kolkata, before concluding their campaign against Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai.

BCCI reacts to BCB’s plans to move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup 2026 games out of India

A BCCI source, however, insisted that the shift is next to impossible with just a month left for the tournament.

"You can't just change games at someone's whims and fancies. It is a logistical nightmare. Think about opposition teams. Their air tickets, hotels are booked. Also, on all days there are three games each which means one game is in Sri Lanka. There is broadcast crew. So it will be easier said than done," the BCCI source said, as PTI.

According to a deal reached months ago, India's fiercest rival, Pakistan, is already playing its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. 

After Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, was overthrown and fled to India in August of last year due to anti-government demonstrations, the relationship between India and Bangladesh collapsed.

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