NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to move its matches at next month’s ICC T20 World Cup outside India, stating that there is no credible security threat to the team.
Bangladesh had refused to play its matches in India, citing safety concerns amid strained political relations between the two neighbours, and had demanded that their fixtures be shifted to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament.
In a statement issued after a board meeting on Wednesday, the ICC said the decision was made after reviewing comprehensive security assessments, including independent evaluations.
“All assessments indicated there was no threat to Bangladesh players, officials, media personnel or fans at any of the tournament venues in India,” the ICC said.
The governing body added that making last-minute changes to the schedule was not feasible, warning that altering venues without a verified threat could set a dangerous precedent and undermine the integrity of future ICC events.
The ICC also revealed that it had engaged in extensive correspondence and meetings with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) in an effort to resolve the issue, sharing detailed security plans that include layered federal and state law-enforcement support.
An ICC spokesperson said sustained and constructive dialogue had taken place over recent weeks, with the aim of ensuring Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.
“Independent security assessments, venue-level plans and formal assurances from host authorities consistently concluded that there is no credible or verifiable threat to the safety of the Bangladesh team in India,” the spokesperson said.
The ICC reaffirmed its commitment to acting in good faith, maintaining consistent standards, and protecting the collective interests of international cricket.