Bangladesh has firmly refused to play its T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India. Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul Islam confirmed the decision is final. He said the team will not accept any pressure from the BCCI to change venues.
The adviser referenced past events, noting that venue changes have been made before, including for Pakistan. He stressed that alternative arrangements for Bangladesh’s matches are possible. ICC officials have been informed that strict conditions from the Indian board will not be accepted.
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Asif Nazrul Islam added that Bangladesh will not compromise under external influence. He also clarified that no information exists regarding Scotland joining Bangladesh’s group. The stance shows Bangladesh’s commitment to protecting its team’s interests and safety.
The decision has sparked reactions across the cricketing community. Analysts believe this could affect scheduling and logistics for the ICC. ICC officials are reportedly reviewing options to avoid conflicts with other teams’ fixtures.
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Bangladesh’s position reinforces the team’s independence and highlights challenges in organizing tournaments in politically sensitive regions. The country maintains it will only play matches in neutral or agreed venues. ICC and BCCI discussions are expected to continue in the coming weeks.