Visa Snag Deepens ICC–Bangladesh T20 World Cup Dispute

Post by : Saif Nasser

A fresh visa problem has added more tension to the growing dispute between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. What was meant to be a crucial two-member ICC delegation visit to Dhaka turned into a one-man mission after an Indian ICC official reportedly failed to receive a visa on time.

The ICC had planned to send two senior officials to Bangladesh to resolve concerns raised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Bangladeshi government about player safety during the tournament. Instead, only Andrew Ephgrave, the ICC’s Head of Anti-Corruption and Security, arrived in Dhaka on January 17. His colleague, a senior ICC executive of Indian nationality, was forced to stay back due to the visa delay, according to local media reports.

This visit is being seen as a final attempt by the ICC to save the original schedule of the T20 World Cup, which is set to begin on February 7. Bangladesh has expressed serious concerns about sending its team to India, where several of its group-stage matches are scheduled. The BCB has formally asked the ICC to move those matches to Sri Lanka, citing security and political concerns.

With just weeks left before the tournament, the pressure is now fully on Ephgrave. A former British police officer, he is expected to present a detailed security plan to reassure Bangladesh that its players and officials will be fully protected while playing in India. Reports say the plan includes close coordination with Indian security agencies and special protection for the Bangladesh team throughout their stay.

The visa issue itself has become a symbol of the strained political climate between India and Bangladesh. While the ICC has not officially commented on the incident, the failure of an Indian official to secure a visa has raised eyebrows and highlighted the seriousness of the situation. It has also complicated talks that were already sensitive and urgent.

If the negotiations fail, the impact could be severe. A deadlock may force the ICC to rethink match venues or even delay decisions that could disrupt the tournament before it begins. Such uncertainty is bad for players, fans, broadcasters, and sponsors, all of whom rely on clear planning.

As things stand, the future of Bangladesh’s participation under the current schedule hangs in the balance. The outcome of this Dhaka visit could decide whether the T20 World Cup 2026 goes ahead as planned or faces major changes. With time running out, both cricket diplomacy and real-world politics are now closely linked in shaping the fate of the tournament.