The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressing support for Bangladesh’s decision not to play matches in India during the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup.
The letter was sent on Tuesday, a day before the ICC is due to take a final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament. The PCB have backed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) concerns over security, citing political tensions in the region. Members of the ICC board were also addressed in the correspondence.
On the other hand, the ICC has decided to uphold its scheduled matches on the same venues as planned, in a board meeting held on Wednesday. The BCB requested to move Bangladesh’s group-stage matches from India to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament.
The ICC has so far maintained its statement that the World Cup schedule will not be changed. The governing body has reportedly conveyed this stance to the BCB during discussions held last week.
No tour of India by Bangladesh
Bangladesh has refused to send its team to India for the group-stage matches. Talks between the ICC and the BCB have taken place several times, including a meeting in Dhaka last weekend, but neither side has shifted its position. January 21 had been set as a deadline for a final decision, less than three weeks before the tournament begins.
The PCB’s involvement follows speculation over possible alternative arrangements. Unconfirmed reports suggested Pakistan may have offered to host Bangladesh’s matches or was reviewing its own participation, depending on the outcome. The PCB has not commented publicly on these claims.
The dispute began after Indian authorities asked an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise to remove Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its squad for the 2026 season. The issue has since escalated, contributing to unrest within Bangladesh cricket and affecting the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League.
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