Ireland rejects T20 World Cup group swap with Bangladesh

Cricket Ireland (CI) has categorically stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will not move Ireland’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage matches out of Sri Lanka, dismissing reports that a group swap with Bangladesh was under consideration.

The clarification follows claims from Bangladesh that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had asked the ICC to exchange its group with Ireland’s due to security concerns over travelling to India.

“We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” a Cricket Ireland official said.

Ireland have been drawn in Group C alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman, with all their group matches scheduled in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, are placed in Group B with West Indies, England, Nepal and Italy, and are scheduled to play their group fixtures in Kolkata and Mumbai.

The BCB had floated the idea of a group swap during a meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka on Saturday.

In a statement, the BCB said that “among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed.”

However, the proposal appears to have found little support from either the ICC or Cricket Ireland.

The ICC delegation at the meeting included Gaurav Saxena, General Manager, Events and Corporate Communications and Andrew Ephgrave, General Manager, Integrity Unit.

Saxena joined the discussions virtually after receiving his Bangladesh visa later than expected, while Ephgrave attended in person.

The BCB delegation was led by president Md Aminul Islam and included vice-presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Director and Chairman of the Cricket Operations Committee Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.

In a separate statement, the BCB confirmed that the possibility of a group change in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was discussed as part of wider talks on Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.

“During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka,” the board said, adding that it had conveyed the government’s concerns regarding the safety and security of the team, Bangladeshi fans, media and other stakeholders.

As per the current schedule, Bangladesh are set to play their first three group matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 — before concluding their group stage against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.

The BCB refused to send its team to India, citing concerns over the safety and well-being of players and support staff, and requested the ICC to move its fixtures to another venue outside India.

The stance followed heightened tensions after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was forced to withdraw from the Indian Premier League (IPL), triggering strong reactions in Dhaka.

Despite the impasse, the BCB said discussions with the ICC were conducted in a “constructive, cordial and professional” manner, with both parties agreeing to continue dialogue on the issue.

For the unversed, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

Source: Geo Super
--Agencies