With less than a month remaining until the T20 World Cup kicks off, a major controversy over match venues for the Bangladesh cricket team threatens to disrupt the tournament's preparations. A tense deadlock between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has left the locations of Bangladesh's fixtures uncertain, forcing organizers to scramble for backup plans within India.
From Security Concern to Full-Blown Standoff
What initially started as a security concern raised by the BCB has now escalated into a significant impasse. The Bangladeshi board has formally written to the ICC on multiple occasions, requesting that all of its team's scheduled matches be moved from India to the tournament's co-host, Sri Lanka. The BCB has cited player safety apprehensions linked to the prevailing political climate between India and Bangladesh, stating it is unwilling to send its squad to India under the current circumstances.
However, the global cricket governing body is reportedly hesitant to agree to this demand. Logistical challenges of shifting matches so close to the tournament opener on February 7 are a primary concern for the ICC. According to reports, instead of agreeing to a shift to Sri Lanka, the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are actively evaluating alternative venues within India itself.
Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram Emerge as Frontrunners
The search for internal solutions has led the authorities to sound out the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). Chennai's M.A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) and Thiruvananthapuram have emerged as potential hosts for Bangladesh's matches. While officials from these associations were not immediately available for comment, it is understood they have expressed their readiness to host the games if needed.
Chepauk is already a confirmed World Cup venue, slated to host seven matches, including a possible high-voltage Super 8 clash between India and Australia. TNCA officials have reportedly assured the ICC and BCCI that accommodating additional fixtures would be feasible, thanks to the availability of eight pitches at the historic ground.
The Mustafizur Rahman Trigger and Ripple Effects
The current crisis was triggered by a sequence of events following the BCCI's instruction to the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman. This move prompted a strong reaction from Bangladesh, which cited heightened security concerns. The BCB subsequently wrote to the ICC seeking venue changes and took the unprecedented step of banning the broadcast of the IPL in Bangladesh—a first since the league began in 2008.
Under the original schedule, Bangladesh was set to play:
- West Indies on February 7 in Kolkata
- Italy on February 9 in Kolkata
- England on February 14 in Kolkata
- Nepal on February 17 in Mumbai
All these plans are now under a cloud.
Adding another intriguing dimension to the saga, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also reportedly approached the ICC. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has conveyed Pakistan's willingness to host Bangladesh's matches if neither India nor Sri Lanka is deemed acceptable, though the ICC has not officially confirmed this offer.
The ICC is expected to issue a formal response to the BCB's requests by January 12. With time rapidly running out and positions on both sides appearing firm, the unresolved venue issue for Bangladesh is poised to cast a long shadow over the lead-up to one of cricket's most anticipated global events.
