Mustafizur Rahman row: No India, no Sri Lanka? Pakistan approaches ICC to host Bangladesh's T20 World Cup matches

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), headed by Mohsin Naqvi, has approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) amid the ongoing issue involving India and Bangladesh over venues for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

According to a report by Pakistani news outlet Geo News, the PCB has shown interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches in the tournament after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India for the event. There has been no official confirmation from either the PCB or the ICC on this matter so far.




The report said the PCB has offered Pakistan’s venues as an alternative option. This came after the BCB made it clear that it would not send its team to India for the T20 World Cup.

PCB sources quoted by Geo News said Pakistan has formally informed the ICC of its willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches if venues in Sri Lanka are not available.

Also read: Bangladeshi umpire officiates India vs New Zealand first ODI amid Mustafizur Rahman row

The situation follows the decision by IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to leave out Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad for the 2026 season, despite buying him for Rs 9.2 crore in the mini auction.

After that move, Bangladesh banned the broadcast of the Indian Premier League. This is the first time IPL telecasts have been banned in Bangladesh since the tournament began in 2008.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board also decided not to tour India for the T20 World Cup, saying the call was taken "following a thorough assessment of the prevailing situation and the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of the Bangladesh contingent in India." The BCB has said it is still waiting for a response from the ICC on its request regarding match venues in India.


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