Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing serious disruption to its T20 World Cup plans after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) formally requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved out of India, citing safety and security concerns for its players.

The request comes at a sensitive time, with the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7, barely a month away. Bangladesh has proposed Sri Lanka as an alternative host for its fixtures, a move that could force the ICC into a last-minute reshuffle of venues, travel plans, and match schedules.

Tensions escalated following a decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that led Kolkata Knight Riders to terminate the IPL contract of Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. Soon after, relations between the two cricket boards cooled, reflecting a broader strain in diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.

On Sunday, the BCB confirmed that it had officially approached the ICC, expressing concerns about whether its players would feel secure competing in India under the current circumstances. The ICC has since begun exploring alternative scheduling options, according to reports, though the task is proving complex.

Under the original plan, Bangladesh were set to open their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, followed by group matches against Italy and England, before concluding the group stage against Nepal in Mumbai. Any shift away from India would require new venues, hotel arrangements, broadcast planning, and coordination with teams already preparing around the fixed schedule.

While administrators deal with uncertainty off the field, Bangladesh’s on-field preparations continue. The BCB has announced a 15-member squad for the tournament, with Litton Kumar Das appointed as captain, signalling that the team remains focused despite the surrounding controversy.

Amid the wider debate, Mustafizur Rahman has let his performances do the talking. The left-arm pacer recently delivered a decisive final over in the Bangladesh Premier League for Rangpur Riders, helping his side secure a narrow win and underlining his form ahead of the World Cup.

As the countdown to the tournament continues, the ICC now finds itself under pressure to balance logistics, player confidence, and the integrity of the competition, all while racing against time to avoid a broader disruption to one of cricket’s biggest global events.