The impasse between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding Bangladesh's venues for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 continues to be a major point of contention just weeks before the tournament's scheduled start on February 7. The BCB has firmly stated its refusal to play any matches in India, citing significant security concerns for its players and officials. This standoff is reportedly rooted in recent diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh, further exacerbated by the controversial release of Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his Indian Premier League (IPL) contract by Kolkata Knight Riders, allegedly at the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCB formally requested the ICC to relocate all of Bangladesh's scheduled matches, including those in Kolkata and Mumbai, to co-host Sri Lanka. However, the ICC has rejected the request for a complete shift out of India, emphasizing logistical complexities and the tournament's finalized schedule. An independent security assessment conducted by the ICC reportedly found no "specific or heightened threat" to the Bangladeshi team in India, suggesting that the risks are within standard international cricket protocols. As a compromise, the ICC has reportedly proposed alternative venues within India, with Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram emerging as potential host cities for Bangladesh's matches. This move aims to address BCB's concerns about specific venues while keeping the games within India, which is co-hosting the event with Sri Lanka. Recent reports indicate that ICC officials are slated to hold in-person meetings with BCB leadership in Dhaka to try and resolve the dispute, which has garnered significant attention in the cricketing world due to its political undertones and proximity to the tournament. Bangladesh's firm stance mirrors historical instances where other teams, like Pakistan, have declined to play in India due to geopolitical reasons, adding a layer of complexity to the ICC's decision-making process. The resolution of this impasse is critical for the smooth conduct of the T20 World Cup 2026.