12 January 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reacted cautiously to the International Cricket Council’s proposed “two-venue solution” aimed at resolving the ongoing dispute involving Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. The Indian board has clarified that venue decisions fall entirely under the ICC’s authority and that it will abide by whatever resolution the global body finalizes.
The controversy emerged after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) raised concerns over its team playing scheduled T20 World Cup matches in certain Indian cities. While official statements from Bangladesh have remained guarded, reports suggest that player security, political sensitivities, and administrative unease contributed to the discomfort. This prompted Bangladesh to seek alternative arrangements, including the possibility of relocating their matches outside India.
ICC’s Attempted Compromise
Faced with mounting pressure and limited time before the tournament, the ICC is understood to have proposed a compromise formula. Instead of moving Bangladesh’s matches entirely out of India, the governing body suggested assigning two alternative venues within the country where Bangladesh could play its fixtures. The idea behind this approach is to minimize disruption to the tournament schedule while addressing Bangladesh’s concerns to some extent.
This “two-venue solution” is seen as a middle path that avoids the complex logistical challenges of shifting matches to a different country altogether. However, the proposal has received a mixed response, with Bangladesh reportedly unconvinced that changing venues within the same country adequately resolves their concerns.
BCCI’s Clear Stand
The BCCI has maintained a firm but neutral stance throughout the episode. Senior officials have emphasized that decisions related to ICC tournaments — including venues, scheduling, and team participation — are not under the BCCI’s control. According to board officials, the matter is entirely within the ICC’s jurisdiction.
At the same time, BCCI sources have pointed out that making large-scale changes to venues at an advanced stage of tournament planning would create significant logistical complications. Broadcast planning, ticketing, team travel, accommodation, security deployment, and commercial arrangements are all closely interconnected. Any major shift would affect multiple stakeholders and could lead to widespread disruption.
By taking a procedural and non-confrontational approach, the BCCI appears keen to avoid escalating the issue into a bilateral controversy, instead allowing the ICC to manage the situation as a neutral governing body.
Bangladesh’s Firm Position
The Bangladesh Cricket Board, meanwhile, has continued to express dissatisfaction with the current arrangements. Officials have indicated that player safety and comfort remain their top priority. From their perspective, simply moving matches to alternate Indian cities does not sufficiently address the underlying concerns that led to their request in the first place.
There is also a sense within Bangladesh cricket circles that the issue goes beyond logistics and touches on broader administrative and diplomatic considerations. While no drastic decision has yet been announced, the board has made it clear that it expects meaningful assurances before fully committing to participation under the existing framework.
Impact on the Tournament
The ongoing uncertainty has placed the ICC in a difficult position. The T20 World Cup is a global event involving multiple boards, sponsors, broadcasters, and host cities. Any change affecting one team inevitably impacts the larger structure of the tournament.
If Bangladesh refuses to accept the two-venue proposal, the ICC may be forced to consider more drastic options, including moving matches to a neutral country or reworking the schedule entirely. Both options would involve financial implications and operational challenges.
Cricket administrators are therefore keen to reach a solution quickly, one that protects the integrity of the tournament while respecting the concerns of all parties involved.
Broader Implications for Cricket Diplomacy
Beyond the immediate tournament, this episode highlights the growing complexity of international cricket administration. Modern cricket is not only about sport; it intersects with politics, public perception, player welfare, and international relations.
Boards today must navigate sensitive issues carefully to avoid damaging long-term relationships. For the ICC, this situation represents a test of its ability to act as a truly neutral and effective governing body. For the BCCI and BCB, it is a moment that will influence future cooperation and mutual trust.
Players Caught in the Middle
Perhaps the most affected by the uncertainty are the players themselves. World Cup participation is a career highlight for any cricketer, and prolonged administrative disputes can be mentally taxing. Players from Bangladesh, in particular, now face ambiguity over where and under what conditions they will compete.
Former cricketers and analysts have urged administrators to resolve the matter swiftly, emphasizing that players should not become collateral damage in institutional disagreements.
What Happens Next
All eyes are now on the ICC’s next move. The governing body is expected to hold further discussions with both the BCCI and the Bangladesh Cricket Board before finalizing a decision. Time is a critical factor, as teams require clarity to prepare effectively.
For now, the BCCI has chosen to stay on the sidelines of the decision-making process while reiterating its commitment to hosting a smooth and successful tournament if matches remain in India.
Conclusion
The “two venues” proposal may have been intended as a practical compromise, but it has instead exposed the deeper tensions involved in managing global sporting events. While the BCCI has distanced itself from the controversy, the ICC must now balance fairness, feasibility, and credibility.
The resolution of this issue will not only determine where Bangladesh plays its World Cup matches but may also shape how similar disputes are handled in the future. Until then, uncertainty continues to hover over one of cricket’s most anticipated global events.
Summary
BCCI says venue decisions belong to the ICC after it proposed a two-venue solution to resolve Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup concerns. The issue highlights growing administrative and logistical challenges in global cricket.