The ICC has begun urgent talks with Bangladesh following a diplomatic and logistical dispute ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The controversy arose after Bangladesh denied a visa to an Indian ICC official, allowing only one member of the delegation to enter the country.
Only Andrew Ephgrave, ICC’s Head of Anti-Corruption and Security, arrived in Dhaka on January 17 to lead the negotiations. His colleague could not travel due to visa restrictions.
Security Concerns and Venue Dispute
Bangladesh has requested that its group-stage matches be moved from India to Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cited political tensions and player safety concerns as reasons for the request.
Relations between the countries have also been strained after Bangladesh boycotted playing in India following the expulsion of star pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL. These issues have created uncertainty around the smooth conduct of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7.
Ephgrave Leads Negotiations
Ephgrave, a former British police officer with extensive international security experience, is presenting a detailed security plan to reassure Bangladesh about player and staff safety during India-based matches.
He is meeting BCB officials to discuss venues and security arrangements. Observers say that failure to reach an agreement could jeopardize Bangladesh’s participation and disrupt the tournament schedule.
Diplomatic Implications
Indian media have described the visa refusal as a reflection of current political tensions between India and Bangladesh. The ICC has not officially commented on the visa issue, but the situation has caused concern within the organization.
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Both the ICC and Bangladesh face mounting pressure to resolve the impasse quickly. The outcome of these talks will play a crucial role in ensuring the T20 World Cup 2026 proceeds as planned.
