Chandigarh, Jan 18: Ireland will remain in Sri Lanka for the group stages of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite a formal attempt by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to swap places and avoid playing in India. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the global governing body provided firm guarantees that their tournament itinerary will not be altered to accommodate the BCB’s security concerns.
The decision ensures that Ireland will proceed with their original schedule in Group B, competing against Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Oman. A representative from Cricket Ireland noted that the team is fully committed to the existing plan, which sees them playing three matches in Colombo and one in Pallekele.
“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.
The situation arose after the BCB officially asked the ICC to relocate their Group C fixtures. Under the current draw, Bangladesh is scheduled to play three matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai. However, officials in Dhaka have expressed significant hesitation regarding travel to India, citing the safety of their delegation and supporters.
To address these tensions, ICC General Managers Andrew Ephgrave and Gaurav Saxena held meetings with the BCB in Dhaka. While Ephgrave attended in person, Saxena joined the proceedings virtually after encountering visa delays. During the session, the ICC delegation urged the BCB to stick to the original tournament roadmap, though the Bangladeshi board remained firm in its stance.
“During the discussions, the BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka,” the board said in an official statement.
The BCB further noted that it shared the Bangladesh government’s specific concerns regarding the safety of players, media representatives, and fans. Despite this push, the ICC’s commitment to Ireland indicates that a group swap is off the table, leaving Bangladesh’s schedule in India unchanged for the time being.
