Bangladesh Cricket Board is determined not to play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Kolkata. So, the cricket board has come with a new proposal. Now, the ball is on a different cricket board’s court.
Where will Bangladesh play their T20 World Cup 2026 matches?
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s drama regarding the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 shows no signs of ending. The BCB has been adamant about not playing in India ever since Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. Citing security and other concerns, the BCB demanded that its matches scheduled for India for the 2026 T20 World Cup be relocated to Sri Lanka. Now, it has placed another demand before the ICC.
According to a Cricbuzz report, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has now requested the ICC to swap its group with Ireland so that all of Bangladesh’s group stage matches can be played in Sri Lanka. The BCB formally proposed this during a meeting with ICC representatives in Dhaka on January 17. A group swap is considered a way to resolve the issue with minimal logistical changes.
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Bangladesh is currently in Group C, with matches scheduled in India. They will play three matches against the West Indies, Italy, and England in Kolkata, with their fourth group match against Nepal in Mumbai. Ireland, on the other hand, is in Group B, with all their matches in Sri Lanka. They will play Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman in Colombo, with their final group match against Zimbabwe scheduled for Kandy. There has been no immediate word from the ICC or Ireland on this proposal.
However, some reports suggest that Ireland has received assurances from the ICC that they will not be forced to swap groups and that their matches will remain in Sri Lanka. If the Irish Cricket Board refuses to comply, the T20 World Cup 2026 venue controversy can stretch more.