Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul on Saturday (January 10) revealed that the board hasn’t received any response from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding its concerns over playing T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India.

Last week, the BCB wrote to the ICC, urging the apex body to relocate its team's fixtures to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns in India.

The apprehensions followed the controversy surrounding Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman’s axing from the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Mustafizur was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 9.2 crore in the mini-auction last month. However, as reports of atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh increased, there was growing demand of removing the left-arm quick from the league.

On January 3, the BCCI instructed KKR to release Mustafizur and the franchise obliged to the board’s diktat within a few hours. In the wake of this move, the BCB formally requested a venue change.

"We haven't yet received any reply from the ICC. We have sent all the attachments and proofs of our concern," Bulbul told reporters, before adding that the board has clearly conveyed its position to the global governing body and stressed that moving matches to another Indian city would not address their concerns.

"Any alternate Indian venue, at the end of the day, is an Indian venue. You all know that no unilateral decision can be taken, and we have to abide by the government's diktat. We are standing where we had been a few days back."

The BCB chief said the board would wait for the ICC's response before making any further move. "I can't comment on what we will do if we aren't allowed to play in Sri Lanka unless the ICC sends its response," he said.

Bangladesh are scheduled to play their four group-stage matches in India (three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai).

Bulbul also said he was unaware of reports suggesting Hyderabad and Chennai as possible replacement venues.

"I haven't heard about Hyderabad and Chennai being replacement venues. We might come to know maybe on Monday or Tuesday."

He also expressed confidence in Bangladesh’s pedigree to perform well in the marquee event, especially in sub-continental conditions.

"I believe Bangladesh is a big team in world cricket. We have played the quarterfinals of the 2015 ODI World Cup, we played the Champions Trophy semifinals, and in sub-continental conditions we have a good chance of doing well," he remarked.

Addressing the controversy involving former skipper Tamim Iqbal, Bulbul said a BCB director publicly calling the national cricketer a "traitor" was an expression of personal opinion and that he had sought an explanation from the concerned official.

"It was the personal opinion of the director, and I have asked him to give clarification. Tamim has achieved so much, and he should have kept that in mind while putting his opinion in public," Bulbul said.

(With PTI Inputs)