ICC: Bangladesh matches can stay in India; risk labeled low to moderate
ICC: Bangladesh matches can stay in India; risk labeled low to moderate
ICC assessments rate security for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India as low to moderate and fully manageable, countering Bangladesh's security fears.
The ICC has dismissed claims by Bangladesh’s sports adviser that security concerns could bar Bangladesh from traveling to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup, clarifying that its independent risk assessments rate the threat level as low to moderate and fully manageable.
Nazrul had argued that the ICC’s security team had flagged heightened risks if star bowler Mustafizur Rahman was included, if fans wore Bangladesh jerseys in public, and if the tournament coincided with Bangladesh’s elections. The ICC countered that those public comments were misrepresented and part of routine contingency planning, not a verdict against Bangladesh.
The broader context includes ongoing debates over where matches will be staged after Bangladesh sought to shift some fixtures to Sri Lanka for security reasons. The ICC and India’s board have been weighing Indian venues such as Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, while Pakistan has even offered to host. The talks touch on broadcast rights and player IPL movements as the complexity of hosting a World Cup in the region grows.
For now, there is no bar to Bangladesh’s participation, and organisers will continue planning with standard security measures in place. The World Cup’s path remains uncertain in venues, but the door remains open, underscoring a measured approach to safety while keeping the event on track.
