T20 World Cup 2026: 'We won't move from the original schedule' - Ireland rejects Bangladesh's request for group swap

Published - 18 Jan 2026, 09:37 IST | Updated - 18 Jan 2026, 09:56 IST

The controversy around Bangladesh’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has increased after Ireland rejected the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) proposal to swap groups. Bangladesh had approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a request to change groups with Ireland so they could play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka instead of India. However, Cricket Ireland has made it clear that it will stick to the original schedule.

Bangladesh is currently placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup 2026, with their matches scheduled to be held in Kolkata and Mumbai. The team is grouped alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy. Meanwhile, Ireland is part of Group B, which includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and Oman, with all matches scheduled in Sri Lanka.

The issue arose after the BCB formally informed the ICC that they were unwilling to travel to India for the tournament. Citing safety and security concerns for players, officials, media, and fans, the BCB requested that all of Bangladesh’s matches be shifted out of India.

ICC to visit Bangladesh to meet BCB over T20WC participation

As discussions between the ICC and BCB continued, Bangladesh came up with a new proposal of a group swap with Ireland. The idea was to move Bangladesh into Group B, which would allow them to play all group matches in Sri Lanka, while Ireland would be shifted to Group C and play in India.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting between ICC officials and the BCB in Dhaka. In an official statement, the BCB confirmed that the option of switching groups was explored as a way to resolve the matter with minimal logistical disruption.

However, Cricket Ireland has now ruled out any such change. Cricket Ireland officials said they have received definitive assurances that their schedule will not be altered. The official confirmed that Ireland will play all their group-stage matches in Sri Lanka as per the original plan.

"We've received definitive assurances that we won't move from the original schedule. We're definitely playing the Group Stage in Sri Lanka," an official from CI told Cricbuzz in a statement.

BCB urge ICC to consider group swap for T20 WC 2026

According to the existing schedule, Ireland is set to face Sri Lanka, Australia, and Oman in Colombo, with their final group match against Zimbabwe scheduled in Kandy. With the ICC standing by the original fixtures, Ireland has made it clear that it sees no reason to accept Bangladesh’s proposal. Meanwhile, BCB has reiterated that the request to pull their matches out of India is based on guidance from the Bangladesh government.