T20 World Cup 2026: BCB wants to shift matches from India after ‘Fizz issue’; What would happen next?
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup faces turmoil as a "cold war" erupts between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) over the release of Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL contract.
Last Updated: 09.49 PM, Jan 03, 2026
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is facing its first major crisis as a "cold war" between the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spills onto the global stage. Following the sensational news that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forced the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL 2026 contract, the BCB is reportedly moving the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift all their World Cup matches out of Indian soil.
The trigger: The Mustafizur release
The dominoes began to fall on Saturday, January 3, 2026, when KKR confirmed they had released Bangladesh’s premier left-arm pacer, Mustafizur Rahman. Picked up for a record ₹9.20 crore, Mustafizur’s signing had become a lightning rod for criticism amid reports of political unrest and violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the instruction was a preventive measure due to the "prevailing unrest" and safety concerns. However, the BCB has viewed this not as a mere franchise decision, but as a lack of security assurance for their players on Indian soil.
Read also: Analysis | IPL 2026: Who are Kolkata Knight Riders’ options to replace Mustafizur Rahman?
Venues at risk: Eden Gardens and Wankhede
Bangladesh is currently scheduled to play the bulk of their group-stage matches in some of India’s most iconic stadiums:
Reports from sources within the BCB suggest that the board has "grave apprehensions" about sending their team to Kolkata and Mumbai.
A senior BCB official noted that if a high-profile player like Mustafizur cannot be accommodated in the IPL due to safety concerns, the national team’s safety during a month-long tournament cannot be guaranteed.
The "Pakistan Parallel"
The BCB’s expected appeal to the ICC draws an uncomfortable parallel to the ongoing India-Pakistan deadlock. Much like the 2025 Champions Trophy saga, where India refused to travel to Pakistan, the BCB is now considering a "Hybrid Model" or a complete relocation of their fixtures to Sri Lanka.
Currently, the ICC has already confirmed that all matches involving Pakistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup will be played exclusively in Sri Lanka.
If the BCB succeeds in its appeal, it would mean nearly 25% of the tournament’s high-profile fixtures would be moved away from Indian venues, causing significant logistical and financial headaches for the ICC.
BCCI’s stance: "IPL is different"
On the Indian side, BCCI President Mithun Manhas attempted to de-escalate the situation, stating that the Mustafizur decision was strictly related to the IPL and "internal safety protocols."
He clarified that the World Cup venues remain unchanged as of today, but the board is "monitoring the diplomatic situation closely."
However, the damage may already be done. With India also reportedly putting their September 2026 tour of Bangladesh on hold, the diplomatic frost has solidified.
What happens next?
The ICC’s executive board is expected to meet in the coming week to address the BCB’s concerns. If the global body agrees to a venue shift, it would represent a massive blow to the prestige of the Indian leg of the tournament.