T20 World Cup News | ICC Rejects Bangladesh T20 World Cup request: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) request to relocate their T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India to Sri Lanka.
“The ICC have told the BCB that their senior men’s national cricket team will need to travel to India to play their T20 World Cup matches or risk forfeiting points,” news agency ANI said quoting sources.
Notably, the BCB had requested ICC, currently headed by Jay Shah, to move their matches out of India following the controversy around fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman.
KKR had roped in Mustafizur Rahman for Rs 9.20 crore before BCCI’s instruction
The left-arm speedster had been bought for Rs 9.20 crore by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise at the auction but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instructed the three-time IPL winners to release the pacer amid backlash from a section of fans who were not pleased with the violence against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Mustafizur had become the costliest player at an IPL auction only for his deal to be terminated and a replacement option made available to the franchise.
IPL telecast banned in Bangladesh
As an immediate step, Bangladesh government had banned the IPL telecast.
“In view of the subject, it is being informed that a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come to light regarding the exclusion of Bangladeshi star player Mr Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, scheduled to be held from 26 March 2026. No rational reason for such a decision by the Indian Cricket Board is known and such a decision has pained, saddened, and aggrieved the people of Bangladesh,” the Bangladesh government said in a statement.
“Under these circumstances, until further notice, a request is made as per instructions to stop the broadcast/telecast of all matches and programmes of the Indian Premier League (IPL).”
However, the step by the Bangladesh government will have little to no significance on IPL’s revenue, experts suggest.
IPL 2026 is likely to start on March 26 with the final scheduled to be played on May 31.