Bangladesh has refused to back down after the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected its request to shift T20 World Cup 2026 matches out of India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is now preparing to make another attempt to persuade the ICC to reconsider its decision.

Bangladesh’s Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul said the issue goes beyond security concerns and has become a matter of national dignity. On his advice, the BCB had earlier written to the ICC requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be moved to Sri Lanka. The ICC, however, rejected the request and asked Bangladesh to follow the existing schedule.

‘Not Just Security, It’s About Dignity’

Reacting sharply to the ICC’s response, Asif Nazrul said it appeared that the governing body did not fully understand the security concerns faced by Bangladeshi cricketers in India.

“This is not only about security. It is also about the dignity of the country. India has insulted Bangladesh. We are still being asked to look at this only from a security perspective,” Nazrul said.

ICC Rejects Bangladesh’s Request

As per the T20 World Cup 2026 schedule, Bangladesh are slated to play four group-stage matches in India, with games scheduled in Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium.

Following the exclusion of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL, the BCB formally emailed the ICC seeking a change of venue. The ICC responded by stating that Bangladesh would have to play their matches as per the announced schedule.

Bangladesh Wants Sri Lanka as Venue

Despite the rejection, Bangladesh has made it clear that it is not ready to compromise. Asif Nazrul reiterated that the country wants to participate in the World Cup, but not in India.

“We want to play cricket. We want to play the World Cup. But we want to play it in Sri Lanka, another venue of the tournament, not in India,” he said, adding that Bangladesh believes it can still convince the ICC to revisit the issue.