Restrictions on journalists' access to stadium by the Bangladesh Cricket Board

After announcing new rules for admission to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is once again in the spotlight. This occurs amid the current debate surrounding Bangladesh's exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka.

Journalists and other individuals are not allowed to enter the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in accordance with the current regulations. The BCB issued the new regulations on Saturday, stating that everyone entering the stadium, including members of the media, must abide by them immediately.

"As part of the ongoing security enhancement measures at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) and its surrounding premises, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to advise that revised entry regulations are being introduced, which will be effective from now on", BCB said in a statement.

The BCB stated in a statement that the updated admission rules are applicable right now and are a part of continuing security enhancement measures at the stadium and its surrounding areas. The board made it clear that everyone entering the stadium complex—including media representatives—must abide by the new regulations.

Gate 1 will be the exclusive entry point for media persons under the updated arrangements. Only on game days, during official press conferences, at events invited by the BCB, and during particular practice or training sessions, as announced by the board, will media access to the stadium be allowed.

The new procedures will restrict media representatives' access to certain events, such as match days, official press conferences, activities hosted at the BCB's formal invitation, and specific practice or training sessions announced by the board.

The stadium's media facilities have historically been utilised by journalists to cover Bangladeshi cricket regularly; these restrictions had not previously been in place. The decision was made as part of continuous efforts to improve venue security, according to BCB.

This comes after the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to substitute Scotland for Bangladesh in the T20 Men's World Cup 2026, which will begin on February 7.

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