ICC Remains Adamant, Won’t Move Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup Matches: ‘Not Feasible to Make Changes’
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday made it clear that there will be no changes to the original schedule of the Men’s T20 World Cup, confirming that Bangladesh will play its Group C matches in India as planned. The decision was taken after an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, effectively ending weeks of uncertainty surrounding Bangladesh’s participation.
Why ICC Refused Schedule Changes
The meeting was convened after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested that Bangladesh’s matches be shifted to Sri Lanka. The request followed the release of pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad, which triggered concerns within Bangladesh.
However, the ICC stated that multiple security assessments — including independent reviews — found no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials, media personnel or fans at any Indian venue. Based on these findings, the ICC concluded that altering the schedule was neither necessary nor justified.
ICC’s Official Stand
In a detailed statement, an ICC spokesperson said the governing body had engaged in “sustained and constructive dialogue” with the BCB over several weeks. The ICC shared comprehensive venue-level security plans and formal assurances from host authorities, all of which consistently concluded that Bangladesh faced no security risk in India.
The ICC also noted that Bangladesh’s concerns were repeatedly linked to a single, unrelated domestic-league development, which had no bearing on the World Cup’s security framework.
Crucially, the board said making last-minute changes would set a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining the neutrality, fairness and integrity of future ICC tournaments.
What This Means Going Forward
With less than three weeks remaining before the tournament begins, the ICC has drawn a firm line. Bangladesh will now have to decide whether to travel to India under the existing framework or face possible replacement, with Scotland previously identified as a standby option.
Our Thoughts
The ICC’s decision underscores its intent to protect institutional consistency over political or bilateral pressures. While Bangladesh’s concerns were acknowledged, the governing body’s refusal to alter schedules without verified security threats reinforces a clear message: global tournaments cannot function if fixtures become negotiable at the eleventh hour.
