Bangladesh Demands T20 World Cup Group Swap, Ireland Says No

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) shook up T20 World Cup 2026 planning. They asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a group swap with Ireland. This move would let Bangladesh play all its matches in Sri Lanka. The BCB cites security worries about playing in India. But Cricket Ireland quickly rejected the idea. They say the ICC gave them assurances their schedule won’t change.

This whole situation emerged after a recent meeting. BCB officials sat down with ICC representatives in Dhaka. No immediate word from the ICC. But they promised more talks. It’s a messy situation for sure.

Dhaka Meeting Ignites Tournament Debate

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Twenty teams are split into four groups. Group stage matches happen in both countries. Bangladesh finds itself in Group C, slated for matches in India. That means games in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Ireland, on the other hand, is in Group B. Their matches are scheduled for Sri Lanka, at Colombo and Pallekele.

Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India isn’t new. The Bangladesh government has flagged safety issues for the team, fans, and media. A recent trigger? Pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s IPL contract got terminated by BCCI orders. That just raised the tension. Look, Pakistan already got their matches moved to Sri Lanka due to bilateral agreements.

So, there’s a precedent. The BCB wants the same deal. They say players don’t have a say in this decision. And they won’t take compensation if they pull out.

BCB’s formal request to relocate all matches to Sri Lanka came before Saturday’s meeting. An ICC delegation visited Dhaka. Andrew Ephgrave, ICC General Manager, was there. Gaurav Saxena joined virtually. BCB leadership met them. They discussed the group swap. BCB called it a “minimum logistical adjustment.”

Ireland Stands Firm on Schedule

Cricket Ireland didn’t waste time. They shut down the swap proposal fast. “We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the Group Stage in Sri Lanka,” an official told Cricbuzz. That’s a pretty clear message. Reports suggest the swap idea didn’t sit well with the ICC either.

The BCB issued a statement after their meeting. It spoke of “constructive, cordial and professional manner” for discussions. They reiterated their formal request to relocate matches. And they shared the Bangladesh government’s concerns.

The possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group was discussed. It was seen as a way to make minimum logistical adjustments. Both parties agreed to “continue engaging in constructive dialogue.” But it feels like a deadlock.

Internal Friction and ICC’s Dilemma

This whole T20 World Cup drama plays out against other issues for Bangladesh cricket. A BCB director, M Nazmul Islam, got removed from his post. He suggested players should take the financial hit if Bangladesh pulled out of the World Cup. That sparked a player boycott threat. BBC Sport reported on the BPL matches being postponed. This all points to deeper tensions.

The ICC is in a tough spot. They have to balance security, logistics, and fairness for all teams. A five-team group format means moving one team creates ripples everywhere. The BCB is adamant. They are eyeing Group B for their team, pushing Ireland to Group C. But Ireland won’t budge. The proposal remains unresolved. Bangladesh isn’t budging on playing in India.

They want Sri Lanka. And the ICC hasn’t given its formal position yet. No timeline for a solution either. This could go down to the wire. Bangladesh has even hinted at pulling out if they don’t get what they want. It’s a high-stakes game off the field.