The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president, Aminul Islam, has accused the ICC of double standards in pointing out that the governing bodies helped on their request to play the Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the UAE instead of Pakistan. However, the ICC refused to move Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 from India to Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh’s position is that they do not want to travel to India due to security concerns. They are scheduled to play three group stage games at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata against West Indies, England, and Italy before traveling to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the last group-stage game against Nepal.

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“The ICC tried to tell us about incidents in 1996 and 2003, but we pointed out their recent steps in a similar matter. When a country refused to travel to another country for the Champions Trophy last February, the ICC organised a neutral venue for them. The team played all their Champions Trophy matches in that neutral venue. They played in one ground, staying in one hotel. It was a privilege.” Islam expressed. 

Bangladesh advisor points out ICC's double standards 

Aminul expressed his wish to continue to communicate with the ICC on the issue of Bangladesh’s venue and participation in the World Cup. In case they keep boycotting the tournament, Scotland will qualify for the World Cup.

“We are calling Sri Lanka co-hosts, but they are not co-hosts. Sri Lanka is part of the hybrid model, where one country is going to play. We indicated to the ICC that since our government is reluctant (to let us play in India), we want to take that option. Still, they denied our request. We will communicate with the ICC today. We are ready to play the World Cup in Sri Lanka. We don't want to play in India.” Animul shed light. 

“We are proud of Bangladesh cricket, but we are doubtful about world cricket. When cricket's popularity is in decline, the ICC is denying a cricket-loving country of 200 million people. Cricket is going to the Olympics in 2028. India is bidding for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, but it will be a failure if such a country (Bangladesh) is not going to the World Cup. We are not giving up on playing the World Cup.” He concluded.