Published: Jan 12, 2026, 07:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 12, 2026, 07:37 PM (IST)
The 2026 T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7th. However, before the tournament, a controversy took place between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The Bangladesh team has refused to tour India for the T20 World Cup after Mustafizur Rahman was excluded from the IPL 2026.
However, The Bangladesh team wants to play its matches in Sri Lanka, although the ICC has not provided a clear response. The controversy got more chaotic, when Pakistan entered the controversy on Sunday. The PCB offered to host T20 World Cup matches in Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board stated that if venues are not available in Sri Lanka, so they are ready to host Bangladesh’s matches in Pakistan.
With this offer, Pakistan has attempted to strengthen its relationship with Bangladesh. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has described it as a Plan B, it has attempted to strengthen Pakistan’s relationship with the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The two boards have previously discussed cooperation in areas such as training, youth development, and umpiring.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is one of the most powerful board in the world. The relations between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board are currently not good. However, the PCB has offered Bangladesh the T20 World Cup venue, which could lead to Bangladesh standing with Pakistan and pressuring the BCCI. This is a strategic alliance that benefits both sides. This is both a defense and an alternative for Bangladesh from India’s pressure. Using this as a pretext, both countries are preparing to corner the BCCI.
The BCCI is currently neutral in the dispute between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. The BCCI has left the dispute entirely to the ICC. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not received any update from the International Cricket Council regarding the change in venue for Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches, and that it is a matter of discussion between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC. He said that if ICC informs us of any decision regarding change in venue, BCCI, as the host, will take necessary steps, at present, we do not have any such information.
