The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has indicated it is ready to host Bangladesh’s fixtures in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 if the matches cannot be staged at the originally planned venues, sources said.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the PCB has formally communicated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) that Pakistan would be willing to step in and host Bangladesh’s 2026 T20 World Cup games if Sri Lanka is not available as an alternative venue.
The sources added that Pakistan’s stadiums and operational setup are “fully prepared” to stage matches on short notice if required.
PCB officials believe Pakistan is well-positioned to offer logistical support, given its recent experience of hosting major international tournaments.
Sources cited Pakistan’s hosting of high-profile ICC events, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s Qualifier, as evidence that venues, security arrangements, and event operations can meet international standards.
Bangladesh’s stance hardened earlier this month when the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided it would not travel to India for its scheduled World Cup matches, citing concerns related to player safety.
The decision came in the wake of the abrupt removal of Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL), which triggered renewed debate within Bangladesh over the safety and treatment of their players amid a tense political climate.
Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul publicly confirmed the decision, saying the board had opted against travelling to India for the tournament and had also sought clarification regarding Mustafizur’s unexpected IPL exit. In his statement, he said Bangladesh would not accept any situation that it felt undermined the dignity of Bangladeshi cricket or put players at risk.
Following Mustafizur’s release, the BCB held an emergency meeting and decided to formally ask the ICC to relocate its World Cup fixtures, with Sri Lanka identified as the preferred alternative. BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul also reiterated that player security remains the board’s top concern.
For now, the ICC has not announced a final decision on whether Bangladesh’s matches will be moved away from India or remain as scheduled.