BCB offer to swap groups with Ireland to feature in T20 World Cup

The Bangladesh Cricket Board urged the International Cricket Council members to swap groups in order to feature in the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

The BCB made the offer during a meeting with the ICC representatives at Dhaka on Saturday (January 17). Cricbuzz understands that the BCB insisted that they should replace Ireland in Group C so that they can play all their matches in Sri Lanka.

Ireland are scheduled to take on Sri Lanka, Australia and Oman in Colombo while their last group match is schedule in Kandy against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh on the other hand are currently in Group B where they are scheduled to take on West Indies, Italy and England in Kolkata before facing Nepal in Mumbai.

Later in the evening, the BCB released a statement related to the meeting. "The BCB reiterated its formal request to the ICC to relocate Bangladesh's matches to Sri Lanka," the statement read. "The Board also shared the Bangladesh Government's views and concerns on safety and security of the team, Bangladeshi fans, media and other stakeholders.

"The discussions were conducted in a constructive, cordial and professional manner, with all parties engaging openly on the relevant issues. 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."