PCB Backs Bangladesh’s Request to Shift T20 World Cup Matches from India: Report

New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in support of Bangladesh’s request to avoid playing its matches in India during the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

According to reports, the ICC is scheduled to take a final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament on Wednesday. An ESPNcricinfo report stated that the PCB, in its correspondence with the global governing body, endorsed the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) position, citing ongoing political tensions between Bangladesh and India. The letter was also reportedly shared with members of the ICC Board.

It is understood that the ICC and the BCB held discussions on Wednesday, with both sides maintaining their respective stances. While the ICC reiterated that the tournament should proceed as planned, the BCB maintained that it is unwilling to send its team to India.

Earlier reports had suggested that Pakistan could consider withdrawing from the tournament if Bangladesh’s request to relocate its matches outside India was not accepted. Subsequently, the PCB is said to have asked its team to scale back preparations amid the uncertainty.

Bangladesh has also reportedly proposed a swap in group allocations, requesting a move to Group B in place of Ireland, which is scheduled to play its group matches in Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has reportedly assured Ireland that no such change will be implemented.

India and Sri Lanka are set to co-host the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, beginning on February 7. Despite this, the BCB has remained firm in its demand that Bangladesh’s league-stage matches be shifted to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns and escalating tensions with India.

With inputs from IANS