Overview
- After Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL exit, the BCB formally asked on January 4 to relocate Bangladesh’s four T20 World Cup group matches from India to co-host Sri Lanka on security grounds.
- Indian media reports, citing unnamed ICC sources, say the request was rejected in a virtual meeting and that Bangladesh was reminded to play in India under the Members Playing Agreement, with a decision expected by Saturday.
- The BCB’s official statement refutes talk of any ultimatum and says the ICC affirmed Bangladesh’s full and uninterrupted participation and invited BCB input into tournament security planning.
- The ICC has not issued a public statement, and scheduling pressure is high with Bangladesh set for three games in Kolkata on February 7, 9 and 14 and a fourth in Mumbai on February 17.
- The dispute has widened politically, with Bangladesh banning IPL broadcasts and Mustafizur entering the PSL pool, while reports in Pakistan say the PCB would back Bangladesh’s position at the ICC.