PCB open to hosting Bangladesh T20 World Cup matches amid India concerns

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided not to travel to India due to security concerns, sources told Geo Super on Sunday.

According to PCB sources, Pakistan has formally conveyed its interest in hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures if venues in Sri Lanka are unavailable. 

The sources added that all Pakistani venues are fully prepared to stage World Cup matches.

The sources further stated that Pakistan has already successfully hosted major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifier, and is therefore capable of organising these matches smoothly as well.

Bangladesh had earlier taken a firm stance on January 4, deciding not to participate in its T20 World Cup 2026 matches scheduled to be held in India, citing concerns over player safety. 

The decision followed the sudden removal of star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Amid rising political tensions between the neighbouring countries, the BCB formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request the relocation of its World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed the development in a post on his official Facebook page, stating that the board had also sought clarification over Mustafizur Rahman’s unexpected exit from the IPL.

“Bangladesh will not go to India to play the World Cup. The board has made this decision today,” Nazrul said.

“We welcome this decision in light of the extreme communal policies observed by India’s cricket authorities,” he added.

Following Mustafizur’s release from the IPL on Saturday, the BCB convened an emergency meeting and decided to formally request the ICC to shift their matches, citing serious security concerns for players.

“As a Bangladeshi cricketer could not play in India despite holding a contract, the entire national team cannot feel safe participating in the World Cup there,” Nazrul wrote.

“I have instructed the board to request that Bangladesh’s World Cup matches be held in Sri Lanka. We will not tolerate any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, its players, or our country under any circumstances,” he added.

BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul also reiterated that player safety remains the board’s top priority.

The ICC is yet to make a final decision on whether Bangladesh’s matches will be relocated or remain in India.

For the unversed, Bangladesh have been placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup 2026 and are scheduled to open their campaign against West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

They are also set to face Italy and England at the same venue on February 9 and 14, respectively, before concluding their group-stage matches against Nepal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on February 17.

Bangladesh squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Litton Kumar Das (c), Saif Hassan (vc), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Md Shaifuddin and Shoriful Islam.