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Major Setback for Bangladesh Cricket Board

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has encountered a significant hurdle as their plea to relocate matches for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has been turned down. Cricket Ireland has declined to alter the group or venue arrangements, leaving Bangladesh in a difficult position.

Security Concerns Prompt Bangladesh's Request

Bangladesh had reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressing worries about safety in India and requested to have their matches shifted to Sri Lanka.

Reports indicate that the BCB sought to swap their group with Ireland to facilitate this change. However, Cricket Ireland firmly stated that the original schedule would remain intact.

ICC's Assurance on Venue Stability

A representative from Cricket Ireland confirmed that they had received complete assurance from the ICC regarding the venues for the tournament.

“We have been clearly told that there will be no deviation from the original schedule. We will play all our group matches in Sri Lanka,” stated a Cricket Ireland official.

Group and Venue Details Unchanged

In the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, Ireland is positioned in Group B alongside Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Oman, with all their matches scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.

Conversely, Bangladesh is placed in Group C, which includes England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy, with matches set to occur in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Bangladesh's Security Concerns

The BCB has voiced apprehensions about the safety of players, staff, media, and fans while traveling to India for the tournament. They formally requested the ICC to relocate their matches to Sri Lanka by swapping groups with Ireland.

In response, a two-member ICC delegation visited Dhaka to discuss security arrangements planned for the tournament in India.

ICC Delegation's Visit to Dhaka

The ICC delegation comprised Gaurav Saxena, General Manager (Events and Corporate Communication), and Andrew Fgrave, General Manager of the ICC Integrity Unit. Fgrave attended the meeting in person, while Saxena participated virtually due to visa issues.

Following the meeting, the BCB issued a statement confirming the discussions held.

Disappointment for Bangladesh as Schedule Remains

Despite the concerns raised by Bangladesh, both the ICC and Cricket Ireland have reiterated that the original group and venue schedule will not change. This firm stance from Ireland has dashed Bangladesh's hopes of playing in Sri Lanka.

With the tournament approaching next month, Bangladesh now faces uncertainty while other teams continue their preparations as planned.