BCB to push for T20 World Cup venue change after Rahman's IPL release: reports

KARACHI: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is likely to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a change in venues for their Men's T20 World Cup 2026 matches, citing security concerns, Bangladeshi media reported on Saturday.

According to a report, a BCB official has claimed that the decision regarding Bangladesh's participation in the upcoming mega event will be made by the ICC and also that the Tigers could follow Pakistan's footsteps in playing all of their matches in Sri Lanka instead of India, subject to the apex body's approval.

The official added that the BCB will escalate the matter to the ICC at the earliest, while refraining from commenting on experienced left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman's release from the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) squad for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and instead termed it their internal matter.

"I cannot make any comment regarding the release of Mustafizur as this is their internal matter, but as far as taking part in the World Cup is concerned, it is an ICC event, and they will make the final call after taking everything into consideration," the BCB official was quoted as saying.

However, earlier today, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia cited 'the unrest that had developed across the country' over allowing a Bangladesh player to take part in IPL 2026, while announcing that it had instructed KKR to release Rahman.

For the unversed, Bangladesh, slotted in Group C, are scheduled to start their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against West Indies on February 7 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which will also host their next two group-stage fixtures against Italy and England on February 9 and 14, respectively.

Bangladesh's last group-stage fixture against Nepal, however, is scheduled to be played at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on February 17.