The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh's request to move their T20 World Cup matches from India, escalating a dispute that potentially threatens Bangladesh's participation in the tournament. The controversy, which began on January 3, centers around the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) repeated linking of their participation to the release of Mustafizur Rahman from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The BCB's request to shift their matches to Sri Lanka, a co-host of the World Cup, was denied by the ICC, which cited independent security assessments and assurances from Indian authorities that found no credible threat to the Bangladesh team. The ICC stated it had engaged in "sustained and constructive dialogue" with the BCB but felt those efforts were "rebuffed". The T20 World Cup is scheduled to commence on February 7, with Bangladesh slated to play their four group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

The initial flashpoint was the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) directive to KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman, a move that followed rising tensions between India and Bangladesh. While the BCCI did not publicly state the reason for the order, it came after criticism from some right-wing groups due to political tensions. Political relations between the two countries have been strained, particularly after a mass uprising in Dhaka in 2024 and concerns expressed by India regarding the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.

The BCB's stance has been firm, with officials stating they "cannot be forced to play in India". They proposed swapping their group with another team to avoid playing on Indian soil, but this was blocked by Ireland. The ICC has granted the BCB a 24-hour window to confirm their travel to India, with a failure to do so potentially leading to their replacement in the tournament. Scotland, the highest-ranked non-qualifying team, is a likely replacement if Bangladesh withdraws.

Amid the impasse, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stepped in, backing Bangladesh's position and writing to the ICC to support the relocation of Bangladesh's matches. However, the ICC remains firm on its decision to host the World Cup as scheduled. BCB President Aminul Islam has expressed hope for a "miracle" from the ICC, acknowledging the players' desire to participate in the World Cup. The BCB is scheduled to hold a final consultation with the Bangladesh government to weigh the risk of exiting the tournament against security concerns.