Cricket Ireland has firmly stated that Ireland will not play its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage matches in India, dismissing speculation that a group swap with Bangladesh was being considered. The clarification comes after claims from Bangladesh that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) to explore exchanging groups with Ireland due to security concerns related to travel and participation in India. A Cricket Ireland official confirmed that the matter has been conclusively settled. “We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” the official said. Ireland fixed in Sri Lanka-based group Ireland have been drawn in Group C, alongside Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman, with all of their group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka, one of the two co-hosts of the tournament. Cricket Ireland’s stance makes clear that the board has no intention of relocating its matches to India, regardless of any discussions involving other teams or groups. Bangladesh seeks venue change Bangladesh, meanwhile, are placed in Group B with West Indies, England, Nepal and Italy. Under the current schedule, Bangladesh are due to play their first three matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9 and England on February 14 — before facing Nepal in Mumbai on February 17. The BCB confirmed that it raised the possibility of a group change during a meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, citing concerns over the safety and security of its players, support staff, fans and media personnel. In a statement, the board said that “among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed.” However, Cricket Ireland’s confirmation indicates that any such proposal does not involve Ireland, and that the original group allocations remain intact. ICC discussions yield no change The ICC delegation at the Dhaka meeting included Gaurav Saxena, General Manager for Events and Corporate Communications, and Andrew Ephgrave, General Manager of the ICC Integrity Unit. Saxena joined the discussions virtually after receiving his Bangladesh visa later than expected, while Ephgrave attended in person. The BCB delegation was led by president Md Aminul Islam, along with vice-presidents Md Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, Director and Cricket Operations Committee chairman Nazmul Abedeen, and CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury. In a separate statement, the BCB reiterated that it had formally requested the ICC to relocate Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, adding that the request reflected concerns expressed by the Bangladeshi government. Tensions remain The BCB has maintained that it is unwilling to send its team to India under the current circumstances, pointing to heightened tensions following Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s withdrawal from the Indian Premier League, an episode that sparked strong reactions in Dhaka. Despite the disagreement, the BCB said discussions with the ICC were conducted in a “constructive, cordial and professional” manner, and that dialogue on the issue would continue. Tournament overview The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. While Bangladesh’s participation venues remain under discussion, Cricket Ireland has made it clear that Ireland’s group-stage fixtures will remain in Sri Lanka and will not be shifted to India.
Tragedy Strikes Sikandar Raza’s Family as Younger Brother Dies at 13 in Harare
Zimbabwe cricket is mourning the loss of a young life after the 13-year-old brother of national T20I captain Sikandar Raza, Muhammad Mahdi, passed away in Harare on December 29, 2025. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in an official statement released on Wednesday. The board revealed that Mahdi had been living with haemophilia, a rare inherited medical condition that severely affects the body’s ability to clot blood, making even minor injuries potentially life-threatening. According to ZC, Mahdi succumbed to recent health complications linked to the condition. He was laid to rest the following day at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare, surrounded by family and loved ones. In its condolence message, Zimbabwe Cricket expressed deep sorrow and extended solidarity to Raza and his family during what it described as an immensely painful time. “Zimbabwe Cricket extends its heartfelt condolences to Zimbabwe T20I Captain Sikandar Raza and his family following the untimely passing of his beloved younger brother, Muhammad Mahdi,” the statement read. “The ZC Board, Management, Players and Staff stand united with the Raza family in this moment of profound grief.” The board also offered prayers for patience and strength for the bereaved family, concluding with a message wishing eternal peace for the departed soul. Sikandar Raza, who is expected to lead Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, reacted quietly to the tragedy. The all-rounder retweeted Zimbabwe Cricket’s condolence message on social media, accompanying it with a broken-heart emoji—his only public response so far. The cricketing community has since rallied around Raza, with fans and fellow players offering prayers and messages of support as he navigates this deeply personal loss.
