The International Cricket Council has denied claims that it validated Bangladesh’s security concerns over travelling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, sources told India Today.
The clarification follows statements made by Bangladesh government sports advisor A S M Azif Nazrul, who claimed the ICC’s security team had acknowledged increased risks for Bangladeshi players and fans in India. He alleged that the ICC flagged potential threats if pacer Mustafizur Rahman was part of the squad, if supporters wore Bangladesh jerseys, and as Bangladesh’s national elections approached.
However, ICC sources rejected these assertions, stating that no such communication or letter was issued to the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Officials said the claims were incorrect and misleading, adding that the ICC is likely to issue a formal clarification soon.
Despite the denial, Bangladesh has already conveyed its unwillingness to travel to India for the tournament, citing security concerns. The BCB has formally requested the ICC to shift the tournament to Sri Lanka and sent a follow-up letter on January 8 reiterating its stance.
BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul confirmed that the board has not yet received an official response from the ICC regarding the issue.
The dispute comes amid heightened tensions following Mustafizur Rahman’s early release from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2026.
As of now, the ICC maintains that it has not endorsed any security-related concerns about hosting Bangladesh in India for the T20 World Cup.
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