PCB Offers to Host Bangladesh T20 World Cup Games Amid Row

T20 World Cup: Pakistan Proposes Hosting Bangladesh Matches if Sri Lanka Venues are Unavailable

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered to host Bangladesh’s matches during the T20 World Cup 2026. This move follows a tense standoff between Bangladesh and India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) informed the ICC that it will not travel to India, citing security risks and the recent controversy involving pacer Mustafizur Rahman. With the tournament starting in less than a month, the ICC must now make a high-stakes decision.

Why Pakistan Stepped In

The tension started as a sports dispute but turned into a diplomatic crisis eventually. It began when the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) dropped Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman. In response to this, Bangladesh banned IPL broadcasts and questioned the safety of their players in India. The BCB initially asked to move their matches to Sri Lanka.

However, the ICC is concerned about the complications of moving a tournament at the last minute. Pakistan’s Cricket Chief, Mohsin Naqvi, says their stadiums are ready to help. Pakistan wants to show it is a reliable host after the 2025 Champions Trophy. If Sri Lanka cannot take the extra matches, Pakistan is positioned as the main backup plan, which will keep the tournament running.

What are the Financial and Logistical Costs of Relocating Bangladesh T20 World Cup Games?
Moving these matches creates a major financial problem that many are ignoring. Shifting games away from huge Indian stadiums like Eden Gardens will cost millions. Local hotels and shops, which rely on the T20 World Cup for their yearly income in India, will lose money from fans who can no longer visit.

The broadcasters who have already sold slots based on games scheduled to happen in India are also worried about their advertising deals. If the matches move to Pakistan or Sri Lanka, production costs will go up quickly. Moving cameras, staff, and technology across borders can be expensive. The ICC will have to pay for these extra flights and setups, which could drain the tournament's budget.

Overall, the ICC is in a difficult position. If they force Bangladesh to play in India, the team might stay home. If they move the games, they might upset India’s powerful cricket board. The most likely result is a rushed, expensive deal to play in Sri Lanka. This situation shows that politics is now a major challenge for the future of international cricket.