Dhaka, Jan 11: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally offered to host Bangladesh’s fixtures in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, stepping in as a potential alternate venue as Bangladesh continues to oppose playing its scheduled matches in India over security concerns.
The proposal, confirmed by PCB officials to Geo News, has already been relayed through appropriate diplomatic and cricketing channels. Pakistan has assured the International Cricket Council (ICC) that its stadiums and logistical infrastructure are tournament-ready and capable of seamlessly integrating World Cup fixtures should a venue shift be approved.
Senior PCB officials believe Pakistan’s recent track record strengthens its case. The country successfully staged major global competitions in the last two years, including the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ICC Women’s Qualifiers, both widely viewed as indicators of Pakistan’s ability to safely and efficiently handle high-profile events involving multiple international teams.
Bangladesh’s request to move fixtures out of India stems from a series of escalating security anxieties. The turning point came last week when Mustafizur Rahman—one of Bangladesh’s biggest cricketing names—was unexpectedly released mid-season from his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise. The decision triggered renewed fears over player safety, leading to emergency discussions within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
On January 4, BCB top brass reached a unanimous decision declaring they were unwilling to allow the team to compete in India under the current circumstances. Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul announced the stance publicly through a verified Facebook post, stating unequivocally that the national side would not travel to India for the World Cup.
The BCB immediately forwarded a formal request to the ICC seeking reassignment of its group-stage games to Sri Lanka—a neutral venue with which Bangladesh shares limited geopolitical tension. While the appeal is presently under review, no final resolution has been reached, leaving scheduling and venue planning in limbo as the tournament approaches.With Sri Lanka yet to confirm availability and the ICC weighing logistical ramifications, Pakistan has strategically positioned itself as a viable host capable of delivering immediate solutions.
Sources within PCB confirmed that multiple venues—including Lahore, Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi—have been listed as ready-to-use stadiums equipped to host group-stage matches involving Bangladesh. The board sees the moment as an opportunity to further restore Pakistan’s status as a safe and dependable cricket destination after a decade-long period when foreign teams avoided tours. (Agencies)
