The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested the International Cricket Council to move all four of its 2026 T20 World Cup group matches out of India amid growing security concerns and diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The matches are currently scheduled to take place in Kolkata and Mumbai.
The situation follows the controversial removal of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad ahead of the IPL season. The BCCI directed KKR to release Mustafizur, which heightened concerns over player safety for Bangladesh’s World Cup squad. The Bangladesh government has also advised caution, reportedly recommending that the national team not travel to India. All IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh have been suspended indefinitely in response.
If the ICC approves Bangladesh’s request, the matches could instead be hosted in Sri Lanka, the co-host of the tournament. According to reports, the move would come at a financial cost to the BCCI.
The four matches were originally planned for Eden Gardens in Kolkata, which has a capacity of 63,000, and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with a capacity of 33,000. Together, approximately 222,000 tickets were expected to be sold, with prices ranging from Rs100 to Rs300.
While ticket revenues are technically owned by the ICC Business Corporation, as the tournament’s co-host India would have earned income from match-day surpluses, local sponsorships, and VIP hospitality. Moving Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka without replacing them in India could result in potential losses ranging from Tk11 crore to Tk44 crore, assuming 60–90 percent attendance and average ticket prices of Rs500–Rs1,500. If alternative matches are scheduled at the same venues, losses would be significantly reduced.
The ICC will now have to weigh the security concerns raised by Bangladesh against logistical and financial implications for the co-hosts as the World Cup approaches in February.
