Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram emerge as options for Bangladesh’s World Cup matches

Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram emerge as options for Bangladesh's World Cup matches

The impasse around the identity of Bangladesh's venues at the upcoming T20 World Cup has extended, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seemingly locked in a battle of attrition.

With just over three weeks left for the start of the tournament, there is no resolution on whether Bangladesh will travel to India to play its scheduled matches. The BCB wants all its matches moved to Sri Lanka—the other host of the World Cup—citing concerns about player safety following political tensions between India and Bangladesh. The BCB has sent formal requests to the ICC on more than one occasion.

However, it is understood that alternative venues are being explored by the ICC, and it is unlikely they will be in Sri Lanka, where Bangladesh insist on playing.

It has been learnt that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) and Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) have been sounded out by the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The option of moving Bangladesh's games to Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram is being explored.

TNCA and KCA officials have expressed willingness to host the games. Chepauk is already a World Cup venue and is currently pencilled in to host seven games, including a potential India-Australia 'Super 8' fixture. TNCA officials are believed to have told the ICC and BCCI that they will have no problem, as they have eight pitches.

As per the existing schedule, Bangladesh are slated to play three games in Kolkata: vs West Indies (February 7), vs Italy (February 9), and vs England (February 14), before moving to Mumbai to take on Nepal on February 17.

After the BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from its squad, Bangladesh have cited security concerns over travelling to India and have written twice to the ICC seeking a change of venue. The global body is yet to respond formally and could only potentially do so on Monday (January 12). Even then, the chances of the ICC accommodating the BCB's request to shift its fixtures to Sri Lanka appear slim, given the logistical challenges of relocating matches so close to the February 7 start of the tournament.