London: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has approached the International Cricket Council’s Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), seeking intervention to shift Bangladesh’s matches in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup from India to Sri Lanka. However, the appeal will not be heard as the matter falls outside the committee’s jurisdiction, sources said.
An ICC official said the DRC does not have the mandate to adjudicate on venue-related decisions for global tournaments. The ICC has meanwhile kept Scotland on standby, and the team could be drafted into the tournament if Bangladesh does not participate.
A Bangladesh cricket official confirmed that the BCB had contacted the ICC’s DRC. “If the DRC rules against the BCB, the only remaining forum would be the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland,” the official said.
Earlier on Thursday, the BCB formally urged the ICC’s independent DRC to intervene and relocate Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches outside India, citing concerns raised by the board. The BCB maintained that shifting matches to Sri Lanka would be in the best interests of its players.
Sources indicated that if the dispute remains unresolved and Bangladesh opts out, Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the tournament. The ICC has not yet issued a formal statement on Bangladesh’s participation, but a decision is expected soon.
