'False and baseless': BCB rebuffs reports of ICC ultimatum over T20 WC matches in India

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has rejected reports that it was issued an ultimatum by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the upcoming T20 World Cup, calling the claims "false and baseless".

Media reports had suggested the ICC told Bangladesh it must travel to India for the tournament or risk forfeiting points. The stories, published by ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz, said the message was delivered during an online meeting on Tuesday, bdnews24.com reports.

However, BCB Director Amjad Hossain told bdnews24.com that no such meeting took place and said the ICC had instead contacted the board by email.

“The ICC has told us they want to stage the World Cup with Bangladesh included. They said they are finalising the security plan and asked us to outline the specific areas where we have concerns. We will respond today. There was no online meeting, and the reports are not true.”

In a later statement, the BCB said it had received a formal response from the ICC addressing concerns raised by Bangladesh over player safety and security in India, as well as a request to relocate the team’s matches.

The statement said the ICC had reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Bangladesh’s “full and uninterrupted participation” in the tournament and expressed willingness to work closely with the BCB to address its concerns.

It added that the ICC had invited the board’s views and recommendations as part of the tournament’s detailed security planning and said these would be “duly considered”.

The BCB also directly dismissed reports of an ultimatum.

“The BCB has noted certain media reports claiming that an ultimatum was issued,” the statement said. “The board categorically states that such claims are entirely false, unfounded and inconsistent with the nature or substance of its communications with the ICC.”

The board said it would continue discussions with the ICC and relevant authorities in a “constructive and professional” manner, stressing that the safety, security and overall welfare of the Bangladesh team remained its highest priority.

The BCB’s request to relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches follows heightened tensions after Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman was released from the Indian Premier League by his franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders. The move came amid protests in India over alleged attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, which triggered a wider political and public backlash.

In response, Bangladeshi officials raised concerns about the safety of players and team staff travelling to India. The government later ordered a suspension of IPL broadcasts in Bangladesh, while the BCB wrote to the ICC asking for Bangladesh’s World Cup matches to be held outside India.

In response, the BCB cited security concerns and announced it would not travel to India for next month’s World Cup. It also wrote to the ICC requesting that Bangladesh’s matches be moved outside India. Soon after, Bangladesh’s information ministry announced the suspension of IPL broadcasts in the country.

The T20 World Cup is due to begin on Feb 7, with Bangladesh scheduled to face West Indies in Kolkata on the opening day. Their group-stage matches against Italy and England are also set to be played in Kolkata, with a final group fixture against Nepal scheduled for Mumbai.