Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C, with three of their group-stage matches scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The BCB has sought a move to Group B, whose fixtures are entirely based in Sri Lanka, citing security concerns and logistical challenges associated with travel to India. The issue was discussed during a recent meeting between ICC officials and BCB representatives.
Cricket Ireland, whose team would have been affected by any reshuffle, said it has received clear assurances from the ICC that the original schedule will remain unchanged. “We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” a Cricket Ireland official was quoted as saying.
The ICC’s engagement with the BCB followed Bangladesh’s continued reluctance to travel to India for the World Cup. The BCB has maintained that holding all of Bangladesh’s matches in one country would reduce travel, ease security arrangements, and address concerns raised by the Bangladeshi government regarding the safety of players, officials, fans, and media.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the BCB confirmed that it reiterated its position during the meeting with the ICC in Dhaka on January 17. Senior BCB officials, including president Md Aminul Islam and members of the cricket operations committee, attended the discussions, along with ICC representatives from events, communications, and the integrity unit. The BCB said the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group was discussed as a way to minimise logistical disruption.
Bangladesh’s stance has been influenced by broader political and security tensions. The BCB has linked its concerns to the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League and subsequent threats reported around hosting Bangladeshi players in India. The situation escalated after the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of IPL matches domestically, and senior BCB officials publicly stated that a boycott of the World Cup remained an option if their concerns were not addressed.
With the tournament less than a month away, the ICC faces mounting pressure to balance security considerations with the integrity of the competition. For now, however, the governing body appears set to proceed with the original group structure, leaving Bangladesh’s participation in India-based matches unresolved.
Ireland rejects Bangladesh’s request for T20 World Cup group change, backs original schedule
Digital Desk
Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C, with three of their group-stage matches scheduled in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. The BCB has sought a move to Group B, whose fixtures are entirely based in Sri Lanka, citing security concerns and logistical challenges associated with travel to India. The issue was discussed during a recent meeting between ICC officials and BCB representatives.
Cricket Ireland, whose team would have been affected by any reshuffle, said it has received clear assurances from the ICC that the original schedule will remain unchanged. “We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” a Cricket Ireland official was quoted as saying.
The ICC’s engagement with the BCB followed Bangladesh’s continued reluctance to travel to India for the World Cup. The BCB has maintained that holding all of Bangladesh’s matches in one country would reduce travel, ease security arrangements, and address concerns raised by the Bangladeshi government regarding the safety of players, officials, fans, and media.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the BCB confirmed that it reiterated its position during the meeting with the ICC in Dhaka on January 17. Senior BCB officials, including president Md Aminul Islam and members of the cricket operations committee, attended the discussions, along with ICC representatives from events, communications, and the integrity unit. The BCB said the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group was discussed as a way to minimise logistical disruption.
Bangladesh’s stance has been influenced by broader political and security tensions. The BCB has linked its concerns to the exclusion of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League and subsequent threats reported around hosting Bangladeshi players in India. The situation escalated after the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of IPL matches domestically, and senior BCB officials publicly stated that a boycott of the World Cup remained an option if their concerns were not addressed.
With the tournament less than a month away, the ICC faces mounting pressure to balance security considerations with the integrity of the competition. For now, however, the governing body appears set to proceed with the original group structure, leaving Bangladesh’s participation in India-based matches unresolved.
