According to ESPNcricinfo, the meeting was the second between the ICC and BCB in the past week. During the talks, the BCB reiterated its desire to participate in the tournament but insisted it would prefer to play outside India, citing security concerns. As co-hosts, Sri Lanka has been suggested by the BCB as the most viable alternative location. However, the ICC has remained steadfast in its stand and is not willing to change the original schedule that saw Bangladesh placed in Group C.
The standoff has now lasted almost three weeks, starting on January 4, when the BCB first formally raised its concerns. With the tournament starting on February 7, time is running out. Bangladesh are scheduled to play their opening match against the West Indies in Kolkata, where their next two group matches will also take place, before their final group match in Mumbai.
During Saturday’s talks, the ICC also rejected the BCB’s proposal to move Bangladesh to Group B by swapping places with Ireland, who will play their group matches in Sri Lanka. The ICC is said to have assured the BCB that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team in India.
An advisory prepared by an independent security agency and distributed to all 20 participating teams has classified the overall threat level in India as medium to high, but it does not identify any direct or specific threats to visiting teams.
Sources familiar with the talks have indicated that the ICC will now wait for the BCB’s final decision. Should the BCB refuse to allow the team to travel to India, the ICC is likely to name a replacement team, with Scotland next in line based on the current rankings.
The dispute started after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the IPL 2026 squad of Kolkata Knight Riders on the instructions of the BCCI, without any official explanation. In response, the Bangladesh government banned the telecast of the IPL in the country, following which the BCB wrote a letter to the ICC stating its refusal to play the T20 World Cup matches in India.
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