Lahore, 11 January. Amidst the political standoff with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered another option amid Bangladesh’s demand to shift its ICC T20 World Cup matches from India. PCB says that if Sri Lankan venues are not available for Bangladesh matches then it is capable of hosting those matches.
According to PCB sources, Pakistan has formally expressed its interest in hosting Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches if venues are not available in Sri Lanka. Sources said that all the venues in Pakistan are fully ready to host the World Cup matches. Pakistan has already successfully hosted major ICC events including the Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifier and hence is able to host these matches with ease.
It is noteworthy that there is tension regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cited security concerns to the ICC on two separate occasions and expressed its concerns about traveling to India for the tournament. Bangladesh wants all four matches in its group to be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is also the co-host of the tournament. BCB has not yet received any decision from ICC.
Bangladesh Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul has taken a strong stance on changing the venue, citing national pride and continuing rising anti-India sentiment in government corridors. This happened when Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders for undisclosed reasons on the instructions of BCCI amid attacks on Hindus.
The BCB was working closely with the ICC to address security concerns surrounding the team’s participation. Although their request for change of venue has not been accepted, both parties are engaged in talks to find an amicable solution.
According to media reports, ICC has guaranteed minor changes in the schedule and complete security if BCB agrees to continue playing in India. In the second letter of BCB, it has said that it will stick to its stand of not going to India. Due to lack of talks between BCCI and BCB, ICC will have to take the final decision as host.
If BCB is accepted then Bangladesh can also play all its matches in Sri Lanka like Pakistan. However, there is less than a month left for the tournament to start and tickets for all the matches have been listed and sold out. Change would mean huge losses and technical challenges.
Amid political tension, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered another option amid Bangladesh’s demand to shift its ICC T20 World Cup matches from India. PCB says that if Sri Lankan venues are not available for Bangladesh matches then it is capable of hosting those matches. Pakistan hosted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in which only India played its matches in Dubai. As per the schedule, the Pakistani team will play all its matches in Sri Lanka.
It is noteworthy that there is tension regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the T20 World Cup. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has cited security concerns to the ICC on two separate occasions and expressed its concerns about traveling to India for the tournament. Bangladesh wants all four matches in its group to be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is also the co-host of the tournament. BCB has not yet received any decision from ICC.
Bangladesh Sports Ministry advisor Asif Nazrul has taken a strong stance on changing the venue, citing national pride and continuing rising anti-India sentiment in government corridors. This happened when Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders for undisclosed reasons on the instructions of BCCI amid attacks on Hindus.
The BCB was working closely with the ICC to address security concerns surrounding the team’s participation. Although their request for change of venue has not been accepted, both parties are engaged in talks to find an amicable solution.
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