Bangladesh Requests Change of Venue for T20 World Cup Matches; Jay Shah Acts Amid Venue Chaos

Januay 6, 2026: The T20 World Cup 2026 is facing serious problems after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested to move its matches. This crisis comes just one month before the tournament, which starts on 7 February. It was triggered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cancelling the contract of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The decision follows a decline in relations between the two countries.

Tensions grew when the BCCI told Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur, which angered the Bangladeshi government. Asif Nazrul, a key figure in Bangladesh’s interim administration, then instructed the BCB to request a change of venue for the national team’s World Cup matches.

As a result, the BCB has officially asked for its matches to be moved from India to Sri Lanka, citing concerns about the safety and security of its players. For the ICC and its chairman, Jay Shah, this is a major challenge. Originally, Bangladesh was scheduled to play three of its Group C matches in Kolkata, a city close to the border and a major cricket hub.

ICC Scrambles as Bangladesh Requests Venue Change

Organisers are now rushing to secure venues and accommodation in Sri Lanka at the last minute. According to the Indian Express, the ICC is already drafting a revised schedule to try to accommodate the request. This last-minute change is expected to be a major logistical challenge, especially with the tournament starting in just one month.

Under the original schedule, Bangladesh was set to begin their campaign in Kolkata against the West Indies on 7 February, followed by matches against Italy on 9 February and England on 14 February. Their group stage was then due to end against Nepal at Wankhede Stadium on 17 February.

The political weight of the situation was highlighted by Asif Nazrul, advisor for Youth and Sports in the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government. He said on Facebook: “We won’t stand for any insult to Bangladesh’s cricket, cricketers, and the country. The days of slavery are over.”

He added that if a Bangladeshi player cannot play in India despite being under contract, the national team cannot be expected to feel safe competing in a World Cup hosted there.

Despite the uncertainty, the BCB has confirmed its squad for the tournament, with Litton Kumer Das leading the 15-member team.

ICC Forced to Draft New Schedule

The ICC, led by chairman Jay Shah, has begun drafting a new tournament schedule following the breakdown in diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. The BCB officially confirmed on Sunday that it has requested the ICC to move its matches to Sri Lanka due to “growing concerns regarding the safety and security” of the players.

The timing of the request is particularly difficult, as the tournament starts on 7 February, leaving very little time for organisers to adjust.