In a significant development ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, a senior adviser to the Bangladesh government has formally recommended that the country's cricket board seek a change of venue for its scheduled matches. Professor Asif Nazrul has urged the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to push for the relocation of the team's league-stage fixtures from India to Sri Lanka.
The Core Recommendation and Its Context
This appeal was made directly by Asif Nazrul, a respected adviser to the Bangladeshi government, in a communication to the nation's cricket governing body. The suggestion stems from a broader context of international relations and sporting diplomacy, though the specific reasons behind the proposed shift were not elaborated in the initial report. The move, if pursued, would require formal approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the host boards involved.
Bangladesh's Scheduled Fixtures in India
The proposal concerns four crucial league matches that the Bangladesh team is currently slated to play in India during the tournament. According to the existing schedule, the Tigers are set to face:
- West Indies on February 7
- Italy on February 9
- England on February 14
All three of these initial encounters are scheduled to be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The team's final group stage match is against Nepal on February 17 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Potential Implications and Next Steps
This request places the Bangladesh Cricket Board in a complex position, balancing sporting logistics with governmental advice. Shifting an entire team's schedule mid-tournament is a highly unusual step that involves intricate negotiations, venue availability checks in Sri Lanka, and considerations for fans, broadcasters, and logistics. The BCB's response to this advisory and its subsequent discussions with the ICC will be closely watched. The outcome could set a notable precedent for the interplay between geopolitics and international sporting events.
The news broke on January 4, 2026, as reported by PTI, indicating the matter is a current and active issue in cricket administration circles. The coming days will reveal whether the BCB acts on this recommendation and how the global cricket community responds to such a potential change.
