Our Bureau
Dhaka
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has intensified its standoff with the International Cricket Council (ICC) by demanding a venue shift for its T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka, appealing to the ICC’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) after an initial rejection.
In a bold final move, the BCB sent a letter to the ICC requesting referral to the independent DRC, an arbitration body of lawyers operating under English law in London. Its binding verdicts assess ICC decisions’ legality with limited appeal options. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed the board’s firm stance: no national team travel to India for the tournament starting February 7, 2026.
The ICC rejected the venue change request during a Wednesday video conference. Despite this, the BCB remains optimistic for DRC involvement to resolve the impasse. Bangladesh’s schedule includes an opener against West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, followed by Italy on February 9 there, England soon after, and Nepal in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
This fresh twist underscores deepening tensions, with the Litton Das-led side refusing to budge post-rejection. The DRC’s role could reshape tournament logistics, as BCB eyes Sri Lanka as a safer alternative amid safety concerns.
The dispute highlights rare friction between a full ICC member and the global body. BCB’s Thursday announcement amplifies risks of forfeits or rescheduling, potentially disrupting the event co-hosted by India and others. With the DRC’s final authority, a protracted legal battle looms if ICC resists referral.
Bangladesh’s four matches cluster in Kolkata and Mumbai, pitting them against powerhouses like England and West Indies. A boycott could trigger penalties, financial losses, and scheduling chaos, testing ICC’s diplomacy ahead of the kickoff.
