ICC Security Assessment: No Specific Threat to Bangladesh in India

The ICC has shared a security assessment with Bangladesh indicating no specific or heightened threat to their cricket team in India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The internal assessment, shared with the BCB's security team last week, concluded there was no overall threat to the side, though it identified low to moderate risks in some venues and low to nil in others—standard ICC categorizations applied globally.

The security clearance comes amid ongoing concerns raised by Bangladesh's Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul, who has previously expressed reservations about the team playing matches in India. However, the ICC's detailed assessment suggests the risks identified fall within acceptable parameters and do not ordinarily constitute sufficient reason to relocate games.

Balancing Security Concerns with Tournament Logistics

The ICC's position reflects standard security protocols applied across all venues in international cricket tournaments. While Bangladesh has raised specific concerns, the assessment framework indicates that the identified risk levels are manageable through existing security protocols and do not deviate significantly from risks present at other tournament venues.

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between host nation concerns and international cricket governance, particularly given geopolitical sensitivities between India and Bangladesh. The ICC's assessment provides a pathway forward, though Bangladesh officials continue to monitor the situation closely ahead of the tournament.