The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has conveyed its readiness to host Bangladesh’s matches in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided against travelling to India, citing security concerns.
The development has deepened uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation and the venues for their World Cup fixtures, with discussions between the BCB and the International Cricket Council (ICC) still ongoing.
According to a report by Geo Super on Sunday, PCB sources said Pakistan has formally informed the ICC of its willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches if Sri Lankan venues are unavailable. The sources added that all major cricket venues in Pakistan are fully prepared to stage World Cup games at short notice.
Tensions reportedly escalated after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League following instructions from the BCCI, citing unspecified developments. The move is understood to have played a key role in Bangladesh’s decision to refuse travel to India.
Bangladesh await ICC response
Earlier, Bangladesh government sports adviser Asif Nazrul said the team would not compromise on national dignity or security, stressing that the ICC has yet to fully appreciate the seriousness of Bangladesh’s concerns.
“We are a cricket-crazy nation and we definitely want to play,” Nazrul told reporters after a meeting on Wednesday. “But we do not want to play the World Cup at the cost of national humiliation, the security of our cricketers, spectators and journalists, or the country’s dignity.”
Unhappy with the ICC’s response to its initial communication, the BCB sent a second formal letter outlining specific travel-related security issues and requested that Bangladesh’s four scheduled matches in India be shifted to Sri Lanka.
The ICC, however, is yet to issue an official response, seeking further clarification while maintaining public silence on the matter.
Despite the uncertainty, Bangladesh announced their T20 World Cup squad on Sunday, with Litton Das named captain and Saif Hassan appointed vice-captain.
Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their Group C campaign against the West Indies on February 7 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with England, Italy and Nepal also in the group.
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